Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has arrived in Eswatini, just days after his administration said a planned visit had been disrupted by alleged Chinese pressure on African nations to deny him overflight access.
Speaking about the trip, Lai said it was made possible through “careful arrangements” by Taiwan’s diplomatic and national security teams, without revealing specific travel details.
China criticized the visit, describing it as a “stowaway-style escape farce.” Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and rejects any form of official diplomatic engagement between Taiwan and other states.
On arrival, Lai was received by Russell Dlamini and welcomed with a formal guard of honour. Taiwan’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council adviser Alex Huang, according to the presidential office.
The visit was not publicly announced in advance. It had initially been scheduled for April 22–26 to mark the 40th anniversary of Mswati III’s accession to the throne. However, Taiwan said the trip was postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked flight permissions for Lai’s aircraft, reportedly under pressure from China.
In a statement shared on social media, Lai emphasized that Taiwan would not be discouraged by external pressure and reaffirmed its commitment to international engagement despite challenges.
He also commended Eswatini for maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan despite political and economic pressure, highlighting the importance of cooperation in trade, agriculture, education, and culture.
During the visit, Lai is expected to hold talks with King Mswati III and oversee the signing of a customs agreement between the two sides.
Eswatini—formerly known as Swaziland—remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa and one of just 12 countries worldwide that officially recognize Taipei. Preserving these relationships is a key objective of Taiwan’s foreign policy.
China has consistently sought to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, encouraging countries to sever official ties with the island.
Following the visit, China’s foreign ministry issued a statement calling Lai’s actions ineffective and reiterated its stance that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. It also urged Eswatini to reconsider its position and align with what it described as the broader historical trend.
In a related move, China recently removed tariffs on imports from African nations—excluding Eswatini—further underscoring tensions linked to diplomatic recognition.
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