China heaped praise on Wednesday on three ​African countries that refused to let Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s aircraft fly over their territories, forcing him to cancel a ‌trip to Eswatini, while Lai vowed he would not be cowed by Beijing’s pressure. It is the first instance of a Taiwan president having to cancel an entire foreign trip due to denial of airspace access, representing a new Chinese strategy as its steps up efforts to stifle the island’s efforts to engage internationally. Lai had been due ​to leave for the small southern African kingdom, one of just 12 countries with diplomatic ties to Chinese-claimed Taiwan, but the ​previous night Taiwan said his visit had to be delayed. Taiwan said Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar had revoked permission ⁠for Lai’s aircraft to fly over their territories.

Full report : China praises blocking of Taiwan president’s Africa trip, Taipei defiant.