Despite flight blockades and intense Chinese pressure, Taiwan visits its only African friend

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on Saturday, commencing a rescheduled visit to the southern African kingdom following prior delays.

• Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini, highlighting the country’s importance as Taiwan’s only African diplomatic ally.
• The visit was initially delayed after three Indian Ocean nations denied overflight, a move Taiwan attributes to Chinese influence.
• China criticized Lai’s trip and reiterated its stance that Taiwan remains part of China, applauding African nations for supporting the ‘One China’ policy.
• Taiwan faces increasing diplomatic isolation and prioritizes keeping its few formal international relationships amid pressure from Beijing.

The visit underscores Eswatini’s importance to Taiwan, as it remains the island’s sole diplomatic ally on the African continent.

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“Sanibonani! I arrived in #Eswatini today to affirm our longstanding friendship. #Taiwan will never be deterred by external pressures.

Our resolve & commitment are underpinned by the understanding that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world, no matter the challenges faced,” the Taiwanese president relayed via X.

China’s ⁠Foreign Ministry said Lai had “secretly slipped aboard a foreign aircraft and sneaked out of Taiwan, lavishly squandering public funds”. Reuters reports.

“No matter how the Democratic Progressive Party authorities ​collude with external forces or in what form they ‘buy the loyalty of ​others,’ it is ⁠all a futile effort that cann

ot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China,” it said in a statement referring to Lai’s party.

Taiwan’s original plans with Eswatini

The trip was originally scheduled to take place from April 22 to 26, coinciding with events commemorating King Mswati III’s 40th anniversary on the throne and his 58th birthday.

However, it was hampered when three Indian Ocean nations, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, denied overflight authorization for his aircraft.

Taiwanese officials blamed the move on Chinese coercion, with senior figures claiming that economic leverage and diplomatic influence were used to sway decisions.

Authorities in the three African countries, however, insisted that their decision was compatible with traditional foreign policies.

Officials in Seychelles and Madagascar reiterated their commitment to the “One China” policy, under which Taiwan is not recognised as a sovereign state.

Taiwan has formal ties with only a small number of nations globally, making such alliances a top foreign policy priority for Taipei amid increased pressure from China, which considers the self-governing island part of its territory.

The dispute highlights a broader geopolitical conflict over Taiwan’s international space, particularly in areas where Beijing wields strong economic and political influence.

Shortly after the overflight denials, China publicly praised the three African countries for their dedication to the “One China” policy.

Zhang Han, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, applauded the countries’ stance and reiterated Beijing’s position that Taiwan does not have sovereign status.

Chinese officials have routinely denounced references to Taiwan’s presidency, characterizing them as illegitimate.

Taiwan has historically supplied significant aid to Eswatini, particularly medical care. Taipei provided antiviral therapy to King Mswati III during his recovery from COVID-19 in 2021, emphasizing the relationship’s practical benefits.