China condemns Taiwan president’s Eswatini trip, calls him a rat as Lai insists island has right to engage with the world freely.
- +China Slams Taiwan President, Calls Him A ‘Rat’ Over Eswatini Visit
Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te has defended his right to travel and engage globally during a visit to Eswatini, despite strong criticism from China.
Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te has defended his right to travel and engage globally during a visit to Eswatini, despite strong criticism from China.
Lai made the remarks after arriving in the southern African country on a previously unannounced trip to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession.
“The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign nation and a Taiwan that belongs to the world,” Lai told the king.
“The 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to engage with the world, and no country has the right nor should any country attempt to prevent Taiwan from contributing to the world.”
Taiwan said the trip had faced disruption attempts. Officials said China pressured three Indian Ocean countries to deny overflight permission for Lai’s aircraft.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes any formal engagement between Taipei and other countries, a position Taiwan rejects.
Lai travelled using an Eswatini government aircraft under a strategy designed to limit interference. A senior Taiwan security official said the “arrive then announce” approach reduces exposure to external risks.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office criticised the visit.
“Lai Ching-te’s despicable conduct, like a rat scurrying across the street will inevitably be met with ridicule by the international community,” a spokesperson said.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council dismissed the remarks.
“The Taiwan Affairs Office’s fishwife’s gutter talk is boring in the extreme,” it said.
Eswatini is one of 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
