Taiwan FM Lin Arrives in Eswatini After Flight Ban
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- Lin Chia‑lung arrived in Eswatini on April 26, traveling as President Lai’s special envoy after the president’s trip was cancelled.
- Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unilaterally revoked flight permits for Taiwan’s presidential aircraft, blocking its airspace for the planned visit to Eswatini.
- China denied pressuring the three states but praised them for blocking the flight, signaling a coordinated effort to limit Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach.
- United States publicly criticised China’s actions, joining Britain, France, Germany and the European Union in expressing concern over the interference.
- Taiwan now has only 12 diplomatic allies, with Eswatini being one of them, underscoring the strategic importance of each partnership amid rising pressure.
Why it matters: Taiwan's foreign ministry loses a rare diplomatic outreach opportunity, while China tightens its grip on Taiwan's 12 remaining allies, further isolating Taipei and limiting its trade and security partnerships.
