Taiwan leader visits Eswatini despite China’s attempts to block trip

Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te met with King Mswati III in Eswatini on May 2, 2026, signing trade agreements despite China's pressure to cancel the trip. Originally scheduled for late April, the visit was delayed after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked flight permits for his charter plane. China called the trip a 'laughable stunt' and insisted that Taiwan is part of its territory.