At the end of April, Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te ( 賴清德 ) was forced to cancel a diplomatic visit to Eswatini after multiple countries denied overflight access — an unusual and highly coordinated move.
Days later, RightsCon 2026 in Zambia was abruptly cancelled, reportedly due to the planned participation of Taiwanese civil society groups.
What connects these two events?
In this episode, we examine how the Chinese Communist Party exerts pressure on governments and international organizations to marginalize Taiwan. From diplomatic restrictions to event cancellations, we break down the tactics Beijing uses to expand its global influence and limit Taiwan’s visibility on the world stage.
🔎 Topics covered:
CCP’s weaponization of aviation safety
CCP pressure in Africa
Human rights and tech conference censorship
What you need to know ahead of the forthcoming Trump - Xi summit
If you’re interested in China–Taiwan relations, global politics, or international pressure campaigns, this episode unpacks some important recent events.
Date of Recording: May 6th, 2026
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| President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te ( 賴清德 ) and his delegation arrives in Eswatini on May 2nd, 2026 for a state visit. |
Photo courtesy of the Office of the President, Republic of China, Taiwan.
DIVE DEEPER
Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:
President Lai's cancelled trip to Eswatini:
- Taiwan president cancels trip after African countries revoke flight permits - Yvette Tan, BBC News (April 22nd, 2026)
- Global lawmakers raise concern over canceled Eswatini trip - Kayleigh Madjar, CNA / Taipei Times (April 22nd, 2026)
- International concerns raised after Lai's flight blocked - Kayleigh Madjar, CNA/Taipei Times (April 23rd, 2026)
- China's Pressure tactics disrupt Taiwan President's Africa trip, spark global concern - Irish Sun (April 24th, 2026)
- US urged to act over Chinese pressure - Su Yung-yao and Lin Tsuei-yi, Taipei Times (April 25th, 2026)
- European officials support for Taiwan after flight permits revoked - Lai Jyun-tang, Taiwan News (April 25th, 2026)
- China Endangered the Flight of Taiwan's President to Africa - Anders Corr, Epoch Times (April 27th, 2026)
- Czech Republic denies receiving Taiwan presidential overflight request - Daniela Lazarova, Radio Prague International (May 1st, 2026)
- Taiwan president arrives in Eswatini after blaming China for cancellation of prior trip - Ben Blanchard, Reuters (May 2nd, 2026)
- President Lai arrives in Kingdom of Eswatini for state visit - Office of the President, Republic of China, Taiwan (May 2nd, 2026)
- A statement to our community about why RightsCon 2026 will not take place in Zambia - RightsCon & Access Now (May 1st, 2026)
- RightsCon cancelled due to Chinese Pressure over Taiwan's Participation - Brian Hioe, New Bloom Magazine (May 4th, 2026)
- Zambia cancels world's largest human rights and tech summit days before start - Isabel Choat, The Guardian (May 2nd, 2026)
- World's Largest Human Rights Gathering Cancelled due to Chinese Pressure - Safeguard Defenders (May 1st, 2026)
- Advocacy group Access Now says major human rights conference was cancelled after Chinese pressure on Zambia - Raphael Satter, Reuters (May 1st, 2026)
- Zambia censors an international conference...on censorship - Jemimah Steinfeld, Index on Censorship (April 30th, 2026)
- Taiwan tops Xi's agenda in summit with Trump - Antoni Slodkowski and Ben Blanchard, Reuters via The Taipei Times (May 2nd, 2026)
- US and Chinese officials air concerns in build-up to Donald Trump's Beijing visit - Yuanyue Dang et al, South China Morning Post (April 30th, 2026)
- Trump confirms May meeting with Xi Jinping as Iran war forces postponement - Koh Ewe, BBC News (March 26th, 2026)
- China is not erasing Taiwan - we are - Chris Horton, Nikkei Asia (April 22nd, 2026)
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Music Chime: Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay
