Lai Ching-te has reaffirmed Taiwan’s right to conduct official visits with its diplomatic partners following a high-profile trip to Eswatini, the island’s only remaining ally in Africa. Speaking after returning home, Lai said such engagements are a “basic right” of sovereign nations and that Taiwan “will not give in to pressure,” as reported by Reuters and AP News.
The visit came amid strong opposition from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and rejects any form of state-to-state interaction. Taiwanese officials said the trip faced logistical hurdles after several countries denied overflight access, allegedly under Chinese influence, forcing a longer and more complex route to Africa, as detailed by Reuters.
During the trip, Lai met with Mswati III to strengthen cooperation across sectors including agriculture, education, and trade. The visit underscores the importance of Eswatini in Taiwan’s shrinking diplomatic network, with only about a dozen countries worldwide maintaining formal ties with Taipei.
The United States has backed Taiwan’s stance, describing it as a “trusted and capable partner” and supporting its continued international engagement. Analysts say the episode reflects intensifying geopolitical competition, with Beijing increasing efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically while Taipei pushes to maintain visibility and strengthen ties with its remaining allies.
