Taiwanese Foreign Minister lands in eSwatini, following blocking of the President

By Johnathan Paoli

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has arrived in eSwatini, declaring that Taipei will not be deterred by “authoritarian forces” after a diplomatic dispute that forced President Lai Ching-te to cancel a planned visit to the kingdom.

Landing in eSwatini over the weekend, the Taiwanese government accused China of pressuring three African countries to deny overflight access to Lai’s presidential aircraft.

Eswatini hosted celebrations to mark King Mswati III’s 58th birthday and 40 years since his ascension to the throne. President Cyril Ramaphosa graced the occasion with a working visit.

The dispute marks an unprecedented escalation in efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically.

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