Taipei: The opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) on Tuesday criticized China for allegedly forcing the cancellation of President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Eswatini, while the Kuomintang (KMT) described the situation as "regrettable."

According to Focus Taiwan, the Presidential Office held an impromptu press conference on Tuesday, revealing that three countries-Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar-along Lai's planned flight route to Eswatini had suddenly revoked overflight permissions "unexpectedly and without justification." This development compelled the Presidential Office to call off the visit, which was scheduled to commence less than a day later. The trip was meant to strengthen ties with Eswatini, Taiwan's only African ally, but was suspended due to what the office described as "economic pressure" from China.

In response to the cancellation, the TPP issued a strong statement condemning China's actions, arguing that such moves "seriously trample on our sovereignty and interfere in our internal affairs." The TPP warned that if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to "aggressively constrict Taiwan's diplomatic space and intimidate the Taiwanese people," it would only serve to heighten tensions across the Taiwan Strait and alienate the people of Taiwan further.

Meanwhile, the KMT, a larger opposition party, expressed that the cancellation of Lai's trip was "deeply regrettable." The KMT urged Beijing to exhibit restraint, suggesting that China should "reduce its suppression" and provide the Republic of China (Taiwan) government with the necessary diplomatic space. Yin Nai-ching, director of the KMT's Culture and Communications Committee, highlighted the diplomatic achievements under former President Ma Ying-jeou, who had advocated for a "diplomatic truce" with Beijing, allowing Taiwan to maintain 22 diplomatic allies and underscoring the importance of cross-strait communication.

Yin noted that under the current and previous DPP-led administrations, Taiwan has lost 10 diplomatic allies. However, Yin asserted that the cancellation of Lai's trip to Eswatini was "not connected" to a recent meeting in Beijing between KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.