Taiwanese President Arrives in Eswatini Despite Chinese Airspace Pressure
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini—Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally in Africa—for an official visit. The trip was delayed for weeks after China successfully pressured several Indian Ocean nations into revoking Taiwanese overflight permissions. Beijing condemned the visit and labeled the Taiwanese President a "rat".
Date: May 2, 2026
Location: Sikhuphe, Eswatini
Conflict: China-Taiwan Conflict
Category: diplomacy
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: Reuters / Associated Press