Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) postponed a planned April 22 visit to Eswatini after several African nations abruptly revoked overflight permissions, reportedly under pressure from China.The Presidential Office announced the delay late on April 21, condemning what it described as coercive tactics used to force third countries to alter their sovereign decisions. The office stated such actions undermine aviation safety, violate international norms, interfere in other nations’ internal affairs, and destabilize the regional status quo while harming the sentiments of the Taiwanese public. Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-an (潘孟安) and National Security Council Secretary-General Wu Jau-shieh (吳釗燮) answer questions from reporters at a press conference announcing the suspension of president's trip. (Office of the President) New type of pressureKuo Yu-jen (郭育仁), director of the Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies at National Sun Yat-sen University, said the timing and precision of the move suggest a significant escalation in Beijing’s international strategy toward Taiwan and a hardening policy stance.Kuo noted that since Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) introduced direct presidential elections in 1996, Lai is the only sitting president who has not transited through the United States mainland during his time in office.Kuo warned that such methods could become normalized. Given that Taiwan’s diplomatic allies are largely located in Central and South America, Africa, and the South Pacific — regions where China wields considerable influence — similar tactics could be replicated, placing sustained pressure on Taiwan’s diplomatic space, Kuo added.He also cited remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), who reportedly said during KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit to China that “control over cross-strait relations lies in the hands of the Chinese people,” signaling Beijing’s intent to employ a broader range of tools to pressure Taiwan.Hong Rong-i (洪榮一), a country assessor of Taiwan, Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI) and an expert in strategic studies, told TCN that Beijing’s objectives include testing Taiwan’s crisis management capabilities and shaping perceptions of Lai’s presidency as ineffective over his four-year term.Overflight rightsAccording to Reuters, authorities in Seychelles said they denied overflight rights in line with their policy of not recognizing Taiwan’s sovereignty, while officials in Madagascar reaffirmed adherence to the “One China” principle, stating the decision respected their sovereignty.Juichou Richard Hu (胡瑞舟), a retired major general and deputy director at the Taiwan Center for Security Studies at National Chengchi University, told TCN that unauthorized entry into another country’s airspace could trigger severe responses, including forced landing, aircraft detention, or even military action, and would damage a country’s international standing.He added that rerouting presidential flights requires complex diplomatic negotiations and careful adherence to international aviation law. President Lai meets Eswatini House of Assembly Speaker Jabulani Mabuza. (Office of the President) Political reactionsOn April 22, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office issued a statement praising the countries’ decisions, stating that it “appreciates their adherence to the One China principle.”Also on April 22, KMT Chair Cheng criticized the government, saying Taiwan’s diplomatic setbacks warrant self-reflection rather than blame-shifting. She argued that current policies toward China are misguided and that engagement, rather than confrontation, is key to safeguarding Taiwan.Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rejected Cheng’s remarks, accusing her of blaming the victim and failing to condemn external pressure. The party said her comments contradict Taiwan-first priorities and mainstream public opinion.Implications Kuo described China’s actions as non-military coercion, noting they have raised concerns among regional actors, particularly Japan. He said recent US national security and defense strategies explicitly oppose attempts to alter the Taiwan Strait status quo through coercion, while Japan has signaled it will respond cautiously to similar actions.He warned the incident underscores the lack of goodwill from Beijing and highlights ongoing tensions that could have long-term implications for Indo-Pacific security.Kuo said Taiwan may counter through international public opinion and US support. He pointed to recent US congressional measures — including the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act and the Taiwan Protection Act, incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act — which authorize support for Taiwan’s international participation.He added that the latest developments could prompt further legislatively action in Washington.Trump–Xi meeting US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing in May and meet with Xi.Kuo said Beijing may use the opportunity to press Washington on Taiwan-related issues, including reducing arms sales, rejecting claims about Taiwan’s undetermined status, reinforcing opposition to Taiwanese independence, and limiting the level of treatment for Taiwanese presidential transit through the US.He added that China’s interference in Taiwan’s diplomatic travel sends a signal to Washington that Beijing has tools to retaliate if its position is not respected. Taiwan’s presidential aircraft parks at a local airport. (NOWNEWS Lyu Jyong-chang) Information warfare Experts also warned the incident could influence domestic public opinion in Taiwan. Kuo said China often pairs concrete actions with disinformation campaigns, in this case focusing on narratives questioning US reliability and portraying Taiwan’s government as ineffective.Hong said Beijing may use the situation to gauge public reactions in Taiwan — whether unity against external pressure, indifference, or internal division emerges.