Direct translation
President Lai employs "Public Disclosure Upon Arrival" mode, breaks through blockade to arrive in Eswatini
Reporter : Zou Jingwen / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5423390 / Image : An Airbus A340-300 special plane belonging to the Government of Eswatini arrived in Taiwan on 30 April 2026. President Lai Ching-te then boarded this plane and flew directly to Eswatini. (Image from X platform @MenchOsint)
After a 14-hour flight, President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini, a diplomatic ally of the Republic of China in Africa, at 3 pm Taipei time on Saturday (2 May 2026) (9 am local time) for a visit. Given CCP China's previous unreasonable obstruction and suppression, the Presidential Office adopted the internationally common "arrive then announce" model to exclude external interference, a practice frequently used by US presidents.
As this is a formal state visit, the delegation accompanying the President includes Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, National Security Council Advisor Huang Chung-yen, and Deputy Secretary-General Chao Yi-hsiang.
President Lai was originally scheduled to travel on 22 April 2026 to Eswatini, but due to the unexpected cancellation of flight permits by Seychelles and two other countries, he had to announce the postponement of the trip on the 21st. Now, the decision to restart the trip is based on three considerations:
First, engaging with the world is an inalienable right of Taiwanese people and a fundamental right of the Republic of China as a member of the international community.
Second, the warm invitation and full support from the King and government of Eswatini.
Third, as a member of the international community, Taiwan has a responsibility, along with all democratic allies, to ensure international norms and order are not undermined by any force.
After deciding on the significance of the visit, the goal was clear: All itinerary planning must adhere to national dignity, international norms, and flight safety principles, while also fulfilling the national diplomatic mission and ensuring the safety of the head of state and the delegation. These elements are indispensable. To this end, the government implemented two measures. First, it adopted the common international practice of public disclosure upon arrival, not announcing the itinerary beforehand to minimize the uncertainties and risks of interference from hostile forces. Second, and crucially, it sought cooperation from multiple like-minded allies, including Eswatini to collaborate on not only security arrangements but also information confidentiality. A high degree of cooperation was achieved through a tacit understanding not to disclose the details of the work.
President Lai recently stated publicly: "Going out into the world is the inherent right of Taiwanese people, and also Taiwan's right as a member of the world." At the time he said this, preparations for the visit were already underway, so he was serious. The reason for ending the "suspension" so quickly and fulfilling the visit commitments is to prevent China's methods from becoming a precedent, and subsequently used to manipulate the international community and set its own rules. If Taiwan simply accepts its fate, the CCP's actions may be ignored. Once such a breach occurs, more threats and risks will follow for Taiwan, and existing norms and order will be dominated by bullies.
Therefore, President Lai must go out, Taiwan must go out, and the will of the Taiwanese people and the national will of Taiwan must also go out. Compared to Beijing, the troublemaker, we are striving to be defenders of the international order.
Breaking the blockade! Lai Ching-te arrives in Eswatini for a visit
Lai Ching-te announced on Facebook today that he arrived in Eswatini, a friendly nation, earlier this morning. He stated that his trip, originally scheduled for April 22nd, was postponed due to unforeseen external forces. Thanks to the meticulous arrangements made by his diplomatic and national security teams over the past few days, he arrived smoothly today. Despite the delay, the people of Eswatini gave him the warmest welcome.
Lai Ching-te expressed his hope that this trip would further deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini through closer economic, agricultural, cultural, and educational ties, and promote Taiwan's international cooperation. He noted that Eswatini, undeterred by various diplomatic and economic pressures, has taken action to advocate for Taiwan's international standing, and he expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of the Taiwanese people to King Mswati III and the Eswatini government.
Lai Ching-te emphasized that engaging with the world and mutually benefiting every force of good is an inalienable right of the Taiwanese people and a promise we make to the world. He stressed that we overcome challenges with determination and effort, and respond to suppression and injustice with justice and rationality. We, who cherish freedom and peace, do not seek confrontation, but we will never give up on reaching out to the world. For ourselves and for every future generation of Taiwanese, we will persevere to the end.
