Taiwan president postpones Eswatini visit, saying China pressured African countries

Taiwan’s president postponed a visit to Africa this week when three countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories after pressure from China, his office said Tuesday.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s president postponed a visit to Africa this week when three countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories after pressure from China, his office said Tuesday.

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President Lai Ching-te was set to visit Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, from Wednesday to Sunday.

But flight permits were canceled in island nations along the route, Pan Meng-an, secretary-general to the president, told journalists in Taipei.