Taiwan's Lai arrives in Eswatini, defying China-backed blockade

Bloomberg News on May 2, 2026

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Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te arrived at Eswatini on Saturday after an earlier trip was derailed by several China-friendly African countries closing their airspace to his aircraft.

The trip follows Eswatini Vice Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla’s visit to Taiwan on April 30 as a special envoy after flight restrictions forced the cancellation of Lai’s visit, according to an official statement by the Taiwanese government.

“Taiwan will never be deterred by external pressures,” Lai said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Our resolve and commitment are underpinned by the understanding that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world — no matter the challenges faced.”

The episode signals a potential escalation between Taipei and Beijing, which has long sought to isolate Taiwan’s leaders by blocking their diplomatic meetings and participation in global organizations. It also comes after a recent charm offensive directed at Taiwan’s China-friendly opposition party, with President Xi Jinping hosting Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wun in April and offering new economic incentives.

The Chinese foreign ministry termed Lai’s trip aboard the King of Eswatini’s private aircraft as a “smuggling-style’ escape abroad, making him an international laughing stock and further lengthening the list of ugly acts associated with “Taiwan independence,” according to official Xinhua News Agency.

China also advised Eswatini and some other countries not to “seek chestnuts from the fire on behalf of a small number of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists.”

Lai was forced to cancel his state visit to Eswatini last month after Germany and Czech Republic denied requests for him to transit through Europe as Indian Ocean-based countries Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked overflight permits.

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(With assistance from Miaojung Lin.)