Taiwan Group in Philippines Says China Weaponized Airspace After Lai Trip to Eswatini Was Blocked

 

Taiwanese representatives in the Philippines have raised alarm over what they describe as China’s growing use of diplomatic pressure to control international movement, following the cancellation of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s planned visit to Eswatini.

The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines said the denial of overflight clearance by several African nations was not a routine diplomatic matter, but a clear example of political coercion being exercised through international airspace. According to the group, such actions threaten the integrity of global norms that are meant to protect neutral and shared international spaces.

President Lai was expected to travel to Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s few remaining formal diplomatic allies, in April. However, the trip was abandoned after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar reportedly refused to grant overflight rights for his aircraft.

Taiwan attributed the decision to pressure from Beijing. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to the countries’ references to the “One China” policy as evidence that China had influenced the outcome. Taipei argued that this was part of a broader effort to isolate Taiwan internationally by limiting even basic diplomatic mobility.

China rejected those accusations and maintained that the three nations were simply acting in accordance with their recognition of the One China principle. Beijing also commended their decision, framing it as consistent with established diplomatic commitments.

For the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, the issue goes far beyond one canceled presidential visit. The group argued that when access to international airspace becomes subject to political intimidation, the consequences extend to the entire rules-based international order.

Airspace, much like international waters, functions on trust and legal consistency. Once major powers begin using access as leverage, smaller nations and regional partners may also face similar vulnerabilities. The association warned that if Taiwan can be isolated this way today, countries like the Philippines could face comparable restrictions in the future.

The group drew parallels to continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where repeated confrontations involving Chinese vessels and Philippine maritime authorities have intensified regional concern. It said the same pattern of strategic pressure seen at sea is now appearing in the skies.

The association called on governments to resist diplomatic coercion and defend international legal standards governing both airspace and maritime zones. It stressed that preserving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific requires collective action, not selective silence.

In its view, protecting freedom of movement is no longer just Taiwan’s concern, but a shared regional responsibility.