Beijing: China praised the group of African countries that did not allow the Taiwanese leader's plane to pass through their airspace. The Chinese government commended three African countries for refusing to grant airspace rights to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's plane, forcing the president to cancel his trip to Eswatini. Taiwan condemned these countries as succumbing to Chinese influence.

According to Thai News Agency, this incident marks the first time a Taiwanese president has had to cancel an overseas trip due to being denied access to airspace. Typically, the lack of formal diplomatic relations does not hinder flights for Taiwanese leaders through that airspace. Mr. Lai was scheduled to visit Eswatini, one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but the Taiwanese presidential office said the trip had to be postponed. The office accused China of using its influence to compel Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to revoke flight permits through their airspace.

A spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office denied allegations of economic coercion and expressed gratitude for Taiwan's adherence to the One China principle. Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying there is no longer a "President of the Republic of China" (Taiwan's official name) in the world. It stated that anyone using this title is acting against history.

While Seychelles and Madagascar argued that the decision stemmed from their failure to recognize Taiwan's status, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the actions of both countries as a surrender to China. The statement reaffirmed Taiwan's sovereignty and its right to conduct relations with the international community, asserting that no country has the right to obstruct this process.