Taiwan President Lai returns to Taipei after Eswatini trip rerouted by overflight denials
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · May 5
Taiwan President Lai returns to Taipei after Eswatini trip rerouted by overflight denials
16 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 5
Lai said Taiwan had the right to engage with the world after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar denied passage under what Taipei called intense pressure from Beijing.
His aircraft took a southern Indian Ocean route home, passing Christmas Island, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines before landing at Taoyuan airport.
The visit to Taiwan's only African ally marked King Mswati III's 40th year on the throne; Eswatini is one of 12 states maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.
As China perfects its 'invisible blockade' by controlling airspace, what is Taiwan's counter-strategy to maintain its global links?
With China punishing nations that engage with Taiwan, is the diplomatic price for allies like Eswatini becoming too high?
Can Taiwan's dominance over 90% of the world's advanced chips protect it from China's 'gray zone' encirclement?
Defiant Diplomacy: Taiwan's Vice President Lai Secures Key Agreements in Eswatini Despite Beijing's Pressure
Overview
In May 2026, Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te made a bold visit to Eswatini, Taiwan's last African ally, despite China pressuring neighboring countries to block his flight path. Taiwan used a military transport plane to bypass these obstacles, and Lai was warmly received by Eswatini's King Mswati III. The visit led to key agreements, including a customs cooperation pact and new Taiwanese investments, strengthening their partnership. China condemned the visit and intensified economic pressure on Eswatini by excluding it from tariff-free access to Chinese markets. Taiwan counters with flexible diplomacy, offering tangible benefits to sustain its shrinking network of allies amid ongoing Chinese coercion, while the U.S. supports Taiwan's international engagement.