Blocked, Rerouted, Arrived: Taiwan's President Reaches Africa Despite Beijing

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) arrived in Eswatini on May 2, days after a planned state visit was disrupted when China pressured several African nations along the presidential flight path to revoke overflight clearances, forcing the original trip to be postponed. Lai announced his arrival via social media on Friday evening, Taipei time, stating that his diplomatic and national security teams had worked for days to arrange the visit under tight secrecy.

The visit carries significance beyond bilateral ties: it marks Taiwan's first presidential trip to its only remaining African ally following what Taipei described as an act of Chinese economic coercion designed to block the journey entirely. Eswatini is the last country on the African continent to maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Lai had been scheduled to depart for Eswatini on April 22 to attend a series of national celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession to the throne, the king's 58th birthday, and the country's 58th year of independence. On the eve of departure, the Presidential Office convened an emergency press conference and announced that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar — countries along the presidential aircraft's key transit route — had abruptly withdrawn flight permissions following pressure from Beijing. Officials described the action as economic coercion.

In response, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) was dispatched to Eswatini in Lai's place, traveling as a presidential envoy. Lin departed late on April 23, completed a 42-hour visit, and returned to Taipei in the early hours of April 28.

Following Lin's return, Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, designated as a personal envoy by King Mswati III, arrived in Taipei on April 30. She met with Lai that afternoon and delivered a verbal message from the king, extending a personal invitation for Lai to visit at the earliest suitable opportunity. Dladla said Eswatini's willingness to proceed with the visit was intended to demonstrate to the world the freedom and independence of its airspace, as well as Africa's commitment to international law. She also described Taiwan as family, saying the country's doors remain open at all times to the president and the Taiwanese people.

Less than two days after Dladla's visit concluded, Lai — who had appeared publicly in Dounan, Yunlin County on the morning of May 1 for a community event — announced via social media at approximately 6 p.m. Taipei time on May 2 that he had already arrived in Eswatini. "Although we are a few days late, the people of Eswatini have given us the warmest of welcomes," Lai wrote.

In his social media post, Lai said the April 22 departure had been delayed by an "unexpected external force," but that careful planning by his diplomatic and national security teams had made the visit possible. He said he looked forward to deepening Taiwan–Eswatini ties through closer cooperation in the areas of economics, agriculture, culture, and education. He also said he would convey sincere gratitude to King Mswati III and the Eswatini government on behalf of the Taiwanese people for standing firm against diplomatic and economic pressure.

"Engaging the world and building mutually beneficial partnerships with every positive force is an inalienable right of the Taiwanese people, and Taiwan's promise to the world," Lai said, adding that Taiwan would not seek confrontation but would never abandon its path toward broader international engagement. "For ourselves and for every future generation of Taiwanese, we will persevere."

After Lai's arrival was confirmed, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) issued a statement through Executive Yuan (行政院) spokesperson Li Hui-chih (李慧芝), thanking Eswatini for its longstanding and steadfast friendship with the Republic of China (Taiwan), which he said had made the presidential visit possible. Cho said Taiwan's people have the right to engage with the world, and that the world is welcoming Taiwan with open arms. "No amount of obstruction can undermine Taiwan's determination to freely engage the world — it only strengthens Taiwan's confidence in working hand in hand with like-minded democratic partners," Cho said, according to Li.

Li further quoted Cho as saying that the Republic of China (Taiwan) would continue to demonstrate robust diplomatic agency — refusing to retreat in the face of pressure, and remaining steadfast in its democratic commitments. Cho added that Taiwan would continue deepening ties with global democratic partners, actively participating in international affairs, and supporting the development of allied nations.

（Related： Opinion｜Why Beijing Weaponized Airspace to Block President Lai’s Africa Trip ｜ Latest ）

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