Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te eventually landed in Eswatini on May 2 following an unsuccessful attempt earlier in late April, marking an important diplomatic victory for Taiwan, according to several global media reports.
The trip didn’t happen as per the original schedule after enroute nations, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permission for his aircraft just ahead of the commencement of his trip. It all happened allegedly at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
On his re-arranged trip of three-days Lai was joined by a delegation and together with King Mswati III, Lai witnessed the signing of a bilateral mutual assistance agreement and a joint communiqué, strengthening cooperation and enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries.
This re-arranged visit drew widespread attention from major international media. The Wall Street Journal noted that Taiwan prevailed over the Chinese Communist Party through an “unusual contest of will.” The U.S. State Department also praised Taiwan as “a reliable and highly capable partner for the United States and many other countries.”
Lai Ching-te: Taiwan will continue strengthening its capabilities and steadily move toward the international stage
According to Focus Taiwan, after the April trip got cancelled under concerning conditions, the re-arranged trip required extra coordination efforts between Taiwan’s diplomatic and national security teams. Lai departed in the early hours of May 2 aboard Eswatini’s “royal aircraft,” traveling together with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, Thulisile Dladla.
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Lai emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a “sovereign nation” and belongs to the world. The 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to engage with the international community, and no country has the right—nor should it attempt—to obstruct Taiwan’s contributions to the world. He added that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily advance onto the global stage.
The government of Eswatini stated that this visit not only highlights the deep and longstanding diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini, but also further consolidates their strong diplomatic partnership.
Signing of the customs mutual assistance agreement and joint communiqué
On the afternoon of May 2 local time (evening of the same day in Taipei), Lai Ching-te went to the Mandvulo International Conference Centre to attend a military welcome ceremony, bilateral talks between the heads of state, and a gift exchange ceremony.
Afterward, Lai and King Mswati III jointly witnessed the signing ceremony of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, as well as the signing of a Joint Communiqué, according to a statement by Lai’s office.
The two sides reaffirmed their deep friendship, mutual trust, and shared values, and pledged to continue strengthening bilateral relations under a shared vision of peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity.
The Joint Communiqué was signed by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini’s Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu.
According to a report by Liberty Times, Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance stated that Taiwan and Eswatini signed an Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) in 2018, committing to the development of a customs cooperation mechanism. Based on this foundation, Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance actively promoted negotiations on the customs mutual assistance agreement. Through coordination between both sides’ finance and foreign ministries, consensus was reached on the agreement’s contents.
According to a Ministry statement, “The agreement consists of 12 articles. After it enters into force, the customs authorities of both sides will share information and enforcement experience to effectively combat fraud and violations of customs regulations, safeguard legitimate trade, and improve customs clearance efficiency.”
The Ministry of Finance noted that Taiwan has already signed customs mutual assistance agreements (or memoranda) with major trading partners and allies, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Guatemala.
In the future, Taiwan will continue to promote customs cooperation with other countries that maintain close economic and trade relations, building a comprehensive network of customs mutual assistance. This aims to ensure border security while also creating a safer and more convenient international trade environment for Taiwanese businesses.
According to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA), on the morning of May 3 (local time in Eswatini; afternoon in Taipei), Lai Ching-te visited the Royal Science and Technology Park.
There, he received briefings from the Overseas Investment and Development Corporation and the Taiwan engineering consultancy CECI Engineering Consultants, regarding the “strategic oil storage facility” and the “Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP).”
Lai stated that this is the largest and most strategically significant cooperation project since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It symbolizes a joint move toward a brighter and more prosperous future. He also expressed sincere gratitude to King Mswati III, the government, and the people of Eswatini for their full trust and strong support for Taiwan.
This time, Taiwan’s national security team adopted an extremely confidential operational mode and successfully completed the mission. After the news was exposed, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reacted angrily and issued strong criticism, while Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) expressed congratulations but also made veiled criticism of the national security team.
Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai responded firmly, emphasizing that Taiwan is demonstrating steady diplomatic capability and will absolutely not back down in the face of pressure.
This proves that Taiwan has both the right and the freedom to engage with the world, and that the world is opening its arms to welcome Taiwan, he said.
WSJ: Taiwan prevails through ‘unusual contest of will’
President Lai’s breakthrough visit to Eswatini has drawn widespread international media attention.
The Wall Street Journal reported on May 3 that the CCP has spent decades conducting multi-front efforts to isolate Taiwan, while Taiwan has endured a long and difficult struggle. It noted that “never has there been a case as rare as the recent test of will involving the African kingdom of Eswatini,” praising Taiwan for outmaneuvering the CCP in this diplomatic test.
Atlantic Council nonresident fellow Song Wen-ti told The Wall Street Journal that the dispute surrounding Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini shows Beijing’s willingness to use all possible means to suppress Taiwan. He added that “Taiwan will leave no stone unturned to prove it will not let Beijing have a de facto veto over Taiwan’s international presence.”
Reuters reported that President Lai arrived in Eswatini on the day in question. The trip had originally been scheduled two weeks earlier but was postponed after several Indian Ocean countries unexpectedly revoked landing clearance for a presidential aircraft. The Taiwanese government attributed this to pressure from Beijing.
President Lai posted on Facebook stating that the original itinerary had been “suspended due to unforeseen external factors.” He added that after days of careful coordination by diplomatic and national security teams, they successfully arrived at their destination.
Lai posted a photo on Facebook showing himself waving from the aircraft door, confirming his arrival in Eswatini.
“In the face of challenges, we overcome everything with determination and effort. In the face of unjust pressure, we respond with justice and reason. We who love freedom and peace do not seek confrontation, but we will never give up on engaging with the world,” Lai said in a message on Facebook.
Taiwan did not disclose the updated itinerary until after President Lai had arrived in Eswatini.
According to a statement from the Taiwanese government, after the April visit got canceled, Eswatini King sent a special envoy and Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla to Taiwan on April 30.
“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,” Lai later said in a message on X.
US state department: Taiwan is a trusted and capable partner
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State asserted U.S.-Taiwan ties and also highlighted the importance of Taipei’s relation with Eswatini in an interview with CNA on May 4.
“Taiwan is a trusted and capable partner of the United States and many others,” said the Department of State as reported by Taiwan News.
The spokesperson added that every democratically elected Taiwanese president has visited Taiwan’s diplomatic allies abroad, noting that President Lai’s predecessors visited Eswatini in 2023 and 2018. Such trips, he emphasized, are routine diplomatic visits and should not be politicized.
By Li Jingyao, Vision Times
