He landed on Saturday after several China-friendly African countries had earlier closed their airspace, derailing his planned visit.
Taiwan said the trip went ahead after Eswatini Vice Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla visited Taipei on 30 April as a special envoy.
The visit underscores Eswatini's status as Taiwan's remaining diplomatic ally in Africa and highlights Beijing's pressure on Taipei's international engagement.
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In late April 2026, China exerted intense economic pressure on Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, leading these countries to revoke overflight permissions for Taiwan's presidential aircraft. This forced the grounding of President Lai Ching-te's direct flight to Eswatini, Taiwan's sole African ally. In response, Taiwan swiftly sent Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung as a special envoy, while Eswatini publicly reaffirmed its support for Taiwan despite the pressure. The international community, including the US and EU, condemned China's coercive tactics. President Lai later arrived in Eswatini, expressing gratitude for the kingdom's steadfast backing, highlighting Taiwan's resilience amid growing diplomatic challenges.