·
·
Monday, 17 August 2026dailybeirut.com
World
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, on a surprise visit to Eswatini, told the kingdom’s monarch that his country has the right to engage with the world and that no nation can block it. The remarks came after China criticized Lai, labeling him a “rat,” according to Reuters. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes its official foreign ties, a stance Taipei rejects. Lai’s visit, unannounced by either government, follows Taiwan’s claim that China pressured three Indian Ocean nations to deny overflight clearance for his plane en route to Eswatini—one of only 12 states with formal relations with Taipei. “Taiwan is a sovereign country and belongs to the world,” Lai stated, asserting that its 23 million people deserve global communication and contribution, undeterred by Chinese opposition.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told the King of Eswatini on Sunday: His country has the right to communicate with the world and no country can prevent that, after his arrival on a surprise visit that Taipei says Beijing tried to prevent.
These statements came at a time when China criticized Lai and described him as a "rat," according to what was reported by Reuters.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and says it has no right to establish relations with other countries, a position strongly rejected by the Taipei government.
Taiwan said last month: China forced three countries overlooking the Indian Ocean to withdraw overflight permission for a plane that Lai was traveling on his way to the small kingdom of Eswatini in Africa to participate in the fortieth anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. Eswatini is one of only 12 countries that maintain official relations with Taipei.
“We say to the Republic of China: Taiwan is a sovereign country and belongs to the world,” Lai told the King of Eswatini in statements conveyed by the presidential office on Sunday.
He added, "The 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to communicate with the world, and no country has the right to prevent Taiwan from contributing to the world, and no country should try to do so."
Lai arrived on Saturday on a visit that neither government had announced in advance, after boarding an Eswatini government plane.
Late Saturday evening, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Lai had "surreptitiously infiltrated" Eswatini.
"Lai Ching-te's despicable behavior - like a rat scurrying in the street - will inevitably be met with ridicule from the international community," an office spokesman said in a statement.
