Taiwan's president cancels state visit to Eswatini after China revokes overflight permits

President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan was scheduled to visit Eswatini from April 22–26 for King Mswati III's 40th accession anniversary, but the trip was postponed after China blocked the aircraft's passage through its airspace by revoking overflight permits.

The cancellation signals China's direct use of airspace control to obstruct Taiwan's diplomatic travel—a tactic that makes it physically impossible for Taiwanese officials to reach countries by conventional air routes without crossing Chinese territory.

For Taiwan's government, this demonstrates a new vulnerability in conducting international relations: even visits to countries that recognize Taiwan (like Eswatini, one of only 12 remaining) can be disrupted by Beijing's airspace authority, forcing costly detours or cancellations that damage Taiwan's diplomatic standing.