Taiwan President Cannot Fly to Eswatini

Apr 26, 2026, 12:15

Introduction

President Lai Ching-te wanted to visit Eswatini. He cannot go now. Three countries in Africa said his plane cannot fly over their land.

Main Body

Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar stopped the plane. This is the first time a Taiwan president cancelled a trip for this reason. Taiwan says China told these countries to stop the plane. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung went to Eswatini instead. He said Taiwan is still a friend to Eswatini. President Lai sent a video to the King of Eswatini. He said Taiwan is a free country. China says they did not force the African countries. China says Taiwan is part of China. Many other countries like the USA and Germany are worried. They say planes should fly for safety, not for politics.

Conclusion

Taiwan wants to keep its friends. China wants other countries to stop Taiwan.

Vocabulary Learning

cancelled (v.)
stopped / to decide that a planned event will not happen取消
Example:The football match was cancelled because of the heavy rain.
instead (adv.)
in place of / used to say what happens when something else does not happen代替；反而
Example:There was no milk, so I had some juice instead.
reason (n.)
cause / a fact that explains why something happens原因；理由
Example:Please tell me the reason why you are late for school.
safety (n.)
protection / the state of being safe from danger or harm安全
Example:You must wear a helmet for your own safety when riding a bike.
visit (v.)
go to see a place / to go to a place for a short time訪問；探訪
Example:I want to visit my grandmother this weekend.

Sentence Learning

He cannot go now.
Time Marker: The word 'now' points to the present moment.時間標記: 'now' 一詞指向現在的時刻。
Three countries in Africa said his plane cannot fly over their land.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'in Africa' tells us where the countries are located.介詞短語: 'in Africa' 一詞組告訴我們那些國家的所在地。
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar stopped the plane.
Basic Connector: The word 'and' links the names of the three countries in a list.基本連接詞: 'and' 一詞用於連接列表中的三個國家名稱。
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung went to Eswatini instead.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'to Eswatini' shows the destination of the travel.介詞短語: 'to Eswatini' 一詞組顯示了行程的目的地。
This is the first time a Taiwan president cancelled a trip for this reason.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'for this reason' explains the cause of the cancellation.介詞短語: 'for this reason' 一詞組解釋了取消的原因。