Taipei, April 26 — Several European lawmakers criticized China after Taiwan President William Lai canceled a planned diplomatic trip to Eswatini following last-minute revocations of overflight permissions by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar, The Taipei Times reported.
The trip was called off a day before departure when the three countries withdrew previously granted clearances. Taiwan’s Presidential Office described the moves as economic coercion and suggested Beijing had influenced the decisions.
German MP Klaus-Peter Willsch warned the incident signals a worrying expansion of geopolitical pressure into international aviation. He said denying airspace for political reasons undermines the principles of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Chicago Convention, and reiterated his long-standing support for Taiwan’s participation in ICAO.
Italian officials also condemned the revocations. Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio said democratically elected Taiwanese leaders should not be prevented from international engagement. Senator Isabella De Monte called the action coercive diplomacy, MP Alessandro Cattaneo warned it sets a dangerous precedent allowing political pressure to dictate international travel, and Fabrizio Benzoni questioned whether global rules and diplomatic freedoms are being respected, according to The Taipei Times.
European representative offices in Taipei added their voices. The French Office and the German Institute in Taipei said decisions about airspace management must prioritize safety, stability and predictability rather than political considerations.
China’s claim over Taiwan stems from a complex mix of historical, political and legal arguments: Beijing maintains Taiwan is part of China, while Taiwan operates its own government, military and economy and asserts a distinct identity.
(This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received; the Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.)
