Post #6043

🇹🇼🌍Lai Visits Eswatini on Unannounced Trip Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on May 2 for an unannounced visit marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession. Taipei says Beijing blocked overflight rights from three Indian Ocean countries to prevent a prior attempt at the trip. Lai traveled aboard an Eswatini government aircraft and met the king on May 3, asserting Taiwan's right to international engagement. Eswatini is one of only 12 countries maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, has demanded all states cut ties with the island — a position Taiwan's government disputes. Beijing condemned Lai following the visit, calling him a "rat." Taiwan security officials said the unannounced format was deliberate, citing the need to minimize interference from external forces. The visit signals Taipei's intent to protect its remaining formal alliances through operational security rather than open diplomacy. #Taiwan#China @asianomics