After days of unpublicized behind-the-scenes planning that overcame repeated diplomatic hurdles, Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te has successfully landed in Eswatini, the self-governing island’s sole formal diplomatic ally on the African continent. The last-minute trip comes one week after the Taiwanese government confirmed the original scheduled journey was scrapped, when multiple Indian Ocean island nations — Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar — withdrew overflight clearance for Lai’s official aircraft under explicit pressure from Beijing.
Lai offered few details on the adjusted travel route that allowed his delegation to reach Eswatini, only noting that the arrival followed “days of careful arrangements by the diplomatic and national security teams”. Photographic records from the visit show Lai exchanging official greetings with Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, inspecting a formal guard of honor, and high-fiving local Taiwanese compatriots during a welcoming ceremony. Joining Lai on the delegation are Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council Adviser Alex Huang, per statements from the Taiwanese presidential office.
Neither Taipei nor Mbabane pre-announced the surprise visit to avoid further disruptions from external pressure. The trip was initially planned for April 22–26 to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s ascension to the Eswatini throne. Writing on his social media channels after landing, Lai reaffirmed the Taiwanese government’s commitment to global engagement, saying “Taiwan will never be deterred by external pressures. Our resolve and commitment are underpinned by the understanding that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world — no matter the challenges faced.”
He also praised Eswatini for standing firm against Beijing’s diplomatic and economic coercion to cut ties with Taipei, noting the African nation has “spoken out for Taiwan’s international place through concrete actions.” Lai added that he hopes the visit will deepen bilateral cooperation across economic, agricultural, cultural, and educational sectors, while expanding Taiwan’s overall global partnerships. Per the presidential office’s released itinerary, Lai will hold bilateral talks with King Mswati III during his stay and oversee the signing of a joint customs cooperation agreement.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is one of only 12 small UN member states that maintain full formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a status that the Taipei government prioritizes heavily amid Beijing’s long-running campaign to isolate the island diplomatically. For decades, China has pressured governments across the globe to sever official ties with Taipei, as Beijing adheres to the One China principle that holds Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, with no legal right to conduct state-to-state diplomatic relations.
Beijing has issued harsh condemnation of Lai’s visit, with Chinese foreign ministry officials labeling the trip a “stowaway-style escape farce” and dismissing Lai as “an international laughing stock.” In an official statement, the ministry said, “No matter how the Democratic Progressive Party authorities collude with external forces or in what form they ‘buy the loyalty of others’, it is all a futile effort that cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China.” Beijing also called on Eswatini to “see clearly the general trend of history” and avoid “pulling chestnuts out of the fire for a handful of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists.”
In a move widely interpreted as retaliation just days before Lai’s arrival, China announced Friday it would eliminate all import tariffs for products from all African countries — explicitly excluding Eswatini from the preferential trade policy.