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Diplomatic Status of Taiwan
Comparison of Taiwan's engagement status with key global entities.
Primary Sources
Taiwan leader makes delayed visit to Eswatini after China objections
MBABANE, Eswatini: Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Saturday (May 2) announced his arrival in Eswatini, Taipei's only diplomatic ally in Africa, after an earlier trip was cancelled when several countries revoked overflight permits.Those various African nations withdrew overflight permission following "intense pressure" from Beijing, one of Lai's closest advisers said at the time, forcing cancellation of the initially scheduled April 22-26 trip.Lai on Saturday said only that his initial visit had been "suspended due to unexpected external forces".But "after days of secret arrangements by the diplomatic and national security teams, we arrived successfully today (Saturday)," he said in a Facebook post. "I hope this trip will contribute to even deeper friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, thanks to closer economic, agricultural, cultural and educational links, as well as promote Taiwan's international cooperation," he added."The 23 million Taiwanese people have the right to embrace the world and engage with the world," Lai said in a speech before the Eswatini royal family and assembled dignitaries."And no country has the right and no country should ever block Taiwan from contributing more to the world," he added.Late on Saturday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Lai had "skulked" his way to Eswatini."Lai Ching-te's despicable conduct — like a rat scurrying across the street — will inevitably be met with ridicule by the international community," a spokesperson said in a statement.Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said Lai did not need Beijing's permission to go anywhere."The Taiwan Affairs Office's fishwife's gutter talk is boring in the extreme," it added.Earlier on Saturday, China's foreign ministry accused Lai of making a "stowaway-style escape farce" that made him "an international laughing stock"."No matter how the DPP authorities collude with external forces ... it is all in vain and cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China," an unnamed spokesperson said in a statement on the ministry's website, referring to Lai's Democratic Progressive Party."We urge Eswatini and other individual countries to see clearly the general trend of history ... and not pull chestnuts out of the fire for a handful of 'Taiwan independence' separatists," the statement said. Eswatini, a small enclave kingdom formerly known as Swaziland, is one of 12 countries that still recognise Taiwan. China has persuaded other nations to break diplomatic ties...
Taiwan leader visits Eswatini despite China's attempts to block trip ...
President William Lai Ching-te says he met King Mswati III and signed trade agreements.Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te says his government will never give up on engaging with the world as he visited Eswatini despite China’s efforts to block the trip.Lai arrived in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, on Saturday after “meticulous arrangements made by our diplomatic and national security teams”, he said in a Facebook post, although it is unclear how he arrived in the kingdom.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US intelligence agencies not expecting China to invade Taiwan in 2027list 2 of 4US and Taiwan sign ‘pivotal’ deal to cut tariffslist 3 of 4On rare China visit, Taiwan’s opposition leader calls for reconciliationlist 4 of 4Taiwan opposition leader calls for ‘reconciliation’ after meeting Xiend of listHe said he was greeted with a “military-style welcoming ceremony”. Taiwan’s leader said he met with King Mswati III and signed trade agreements.The trip was originally scheduled for late April, but Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar cancelled flight permits for his charter plane without notice.Taiwan’s presidential office said the cancellations came after heavy pressure from Beijing, including economic coercion, and it called the move “without precedent in the international community”.Taiwan operates as a self-governing democracy, but China claims it is part of its territory and says it must come under its rule. Beijing has insisted that countries halt engagements with the island’s government.Lai walks with Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini upon arriving in Eswatini [Handout/Taiwan Presidential Office via Reuters]‘Laughable stunt’China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson called the trip a “laughable stunt” and said Lai used a “foreign plane to “smuggle” himself out of the island”, insisting that Taiwan is a part of China.China has spent decades pressuring countries to sever formal ties with Taipei, leaving Taiwan with only 12 diplomatic allies, which include Belize, Guatemala, Haiti and the Vatican.Although the United States doesn’t recognise Taiwan, it has pledged to help Taipei defend itself under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.Eswatini is the only country on the African continent that still recognises Taiwan.Lai thanked its king for standing with Taiwan “undeterred by various diplomatic and economic pressures” and reiterated that no country has the right to prevent Taiwan from contributing to the world.
Taiwan president visits Eswatini after blaming China for previous ...
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has arrived in Eswatini, days after his government said a trip had been cancelled due to China pressuring African countries to stop him flying over their territories.
Taiwan president arrives in Eswatini after cancellation of prior trip
TAIPEI (Reuters) -- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said he had arrived in Eswatini in southern Africa on Saturday, having blamed China for the forced cancellation of a prior trip.
