China’s ‘weaponization’ of civil airspace to ground Taiwanese president denounced

One day before a planned visit to Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly revoked overflight permission

Published Apr 22, 2026  •  2 minute read

Harry Tseng, Taiwan's de factor Ambassador to Canada, joined by Liberal MP Judy Sgro and Conservative MP Michael Cooper, speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ont. on Monday, Sept. 22 2025 Photo by Bryan Passifiume /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

OTTAWA — Just months after Taiwanese envoys were in Ottawa demanding inclusion in the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), suspected coercion by the Chinese government has prevented Taiwan’s President from carrying out a visit to Africa.

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On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an told reporters that Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te was forced to cancel his five-day visit to the African nation of Eswatini after the Indian Ocean nations of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar — which all sit along the flight path of the president’s aircraft — suddenly rescinded their previously-granted permission for President Lai to cross their airspace.

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While Pan described the move as “economic coercion” and said the overflight ban was “unexpected and without justification,” China officially denied the charges — but praised the three nations for having “high appreciation” of China. 

Eswatini is one of 12 nations with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a list that does not include Canada.

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Taiwan excluded from UN agency ICAO

In September, a cross-party group of MPs joined Taiwanese officials at a Parliament Hill news conference urging ICAO — the Montreal-based UN agency responsible for overseeing civil aviation — to admit Taiwan as a member.

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Taiwan’s exclusion from the UN and its agencies is a consequence of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971, which saw Taiwan booted from the international assembly under pressure from the People’s Republic of China. 

The Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR) — a region of airspace overseen by Taiwan’s civil aviation administration — is one of the busiest flight control regions in the word, handling more than 1.64 million flight movements in 2024.

Operating three Taiwanese-flagged international airlines — China Airlines, EVA Air and STARLUX Airlines — Taiwan is a major player in civil aviation, managing 64 million passengers across the nation’s 17 airports.

Flight revocations denounced

Canadian politicians have spoken out against China’s move.

In a post on X, Deputy Opposition Leader Melissa Lantsman said Canada needs to speak out.

“Taiwan is a thriving democracy of 23 million people, yet Beijing works overtime to erase that one flight permit at a time,” she wrote.

“Canada has recognized democracies under pressure before based our commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law. We should be loud now.”

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Harry Tseng, Taiwan’s de facto Ambassador to Canada, told the Toronto Sun he denounced Beijing’s apparent weaponization of civil aviation as a tool to push Chinese foreign policy.

“President Lai’s visit to Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, is a legitimate and normal engagement in Taiwan’s foreign relations,” Amb. Tseng said.

“What is unacceptable is that China reportedly used political pressure, economic coercion, and actions that put aviation safety at risk to force three African countries — Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar — to revoke previously granted overflight clearances. This kind of coercion interferes with the sovereign decisions of other countries and raises serious concerns about the politicization and weaponization of civil aviation safety.”

He said the move will not threaten Taiwan’s sovereignty.

“Taiwan is not a part of China, and its 23 million people have every right to engage with the world,” he said.

“Taiwan will not be intimidated. We urge the international community to reject coercion, defend aviation safety, and support peace, stability, and rules-based international engagement.”

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