Taiwan’s Lai Returns from Eswatini Trip Amid China Objection

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday that the self-governed island had the “right to engage with the world,” as he landed back in Taipei after a trip to its sole African ally, Eswatini.

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Lai had to take a winding route to Eswatini after three close allies of China—Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar—denied overflight permission to his aircraft following what his government said was “intense pressure” from Beijing.

The Taiwanese leader’s trip had been originally scheduled for April 22 to April 26 to attend the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne and his 58th birthday.

On Saturday, Lai flew aboard the king’s plane to the African kingdom.

Beijing claims democratically-ruled Taiwan as a province and is opposed to the island’s participation in international organizations and exchanges with other countries.

Long route home for Taiwan’s Lai

Lai left Eswatini on Monday and took a route over the southern part of the Indian Ocean to reach Taiwan.

Flight-tracking platforms showed the aircraft flying over Australia’s Christmas Island, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines before entering Taiwanese airspace and landing at Taoyuan International Airport.

What did Lai say?

Last week, China likened the Taiwanese president to a “rat” for his “skulking” visit to Eswatini.

Lai said on Tuesday that the world “belonged to everyone” and that Taiwan “will ‌not retreat in the face of suppression.”

“Taiwanese people are people of the world; Taiwanese people have the right to engage with the world,” Lai told the media at Taiwan’s main international airport.

“The fact that this trip was obstructed at one point only made the world see Taiwan’s people’s firm determination and will to engage with the world,” he added.

Eswatini is among 12 nations that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

“This visit is not merely exercising diplomacy rights between states in order to foster friendly relations, it is also a demonstration of Taiwan’s will to uphold international order with all like-minded countries,” the president said about the tour.