ROC President Lai Ching-te's Africa Visit Suspended Under PRC Pressure; Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung Sent as Presidential Envoy

On April 21, 2026, the ROC Presidential Office held an emergency press conference announcing the forced suspension of President Lai Ching-te's planned April 22–26 visit to Eswatini (Swaziland), the ROC's only African diplomatic ally. President Lai had been scheduled to attend the 40th coronation anniversary and 58th birthday celebration of King Mswati III. However, on the eve of departure, the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar — countries along the planned flight route — unexpectedly revoked landing and overflight permissions for the ROC presidential aircraft, reportedly under pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Attempts to reroute through Europe were also rebuffed by Germany, Czechia, and other transit countries. The ROC Executive Yuan strongly condemned the PRC for weaponizing international civil aviation and engaging in malicious diplomatic sabotage. Despite President Lai's inability to travel, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung flew to Eswatini on April 25 as a presidential special envoy to attend the celebrations and coordinate future arrangements. Ultimately, through meticulous national security planning, President Lai successfully visited Eswatini on May 2, 2026, using an 'Arrive then Announce' (ATA) strategy via a special alternate route aboard a Eswatini royal aircraft, demonstrating the ROC's resolve to resist diplomatic coercion.