Taiwan's Lai lands in Eswatini in a trip delayed by lack of overflight clearance
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa, despite earlier flight permit revocations by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar due to alleged Chinese pressure.
- Lai emphasized that Taiwan will not be deterred by external pressures and aims to deepen economic, agricultural, cultural, and educational ties with Eswatini.
- China condemned Lai's visit as a "laughable stunt" and reiterated its stance that Taiwan is part of China, urging Eswatini to abandon support for Taiwan's independence.
- Taiwan's Foreign Ministry defended the trip as lawful and consistent with international norms, noting the announcement was made post-arrival for security reasons.
- The visit follows a pattern of Chinese efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, with Eswatini being excluded from China's tariff-free market access due to its ties with Taiwan.
