Days after his government announced that a trip had been canceled because China was pressuring African nations to prevent him from flying over their territory, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has landed in Eswatini.
He stated that “days of careful arrangements by the diplomatic and national security teams” preceded his journey to Eswatini, Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Africa, although he did not elaborate on how he got there.
The visit was called a “stowaway-style escape farce” by China. Taiwan is seen by China as a part of its territory and is not entitled to state-to-state interactions. Pictures captured Lai passing a guard of honor and being greeted by Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini. According to its presidential office, Taiwan’s delegation also comprised National Security Council Advisor Alex Huang and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
Originally scheduled for April 22–26, the trip was intended to commemorate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III of Eswatini’s ascension. It was put on hold after Taiwan claimed that, due to pressure from China, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar had unilaterally canceled flight permits for Lai’s aircraft to pass through airspace under their control.
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