Eswatini's A340 brings Lai Ching-te back to Taiwan safely

 Direct translation

Welcome the Commander-in-Chief! President Lai returns home after a surprise visit; footage of four F-16Vs escorting him has been released

Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5425883 / Image : President Lai Ching-te returns home safely after a daring trip abroad, escorted by four F-16V fighter jets. Footage of the air escort welcoming the Commander-in-Chief has been released earlier. (Provided by Military News Agency)

President Lai Ching-te returned to Taiwan today (5 May 2026) aboard the King of Eswatini's special plane, escorted by four F-16V fighter jets from the Air Force. Footage of the air escort welcoming the Commander-in-Chief has been released earlier.

President Lai Ching-te successfully visited Eswatini, an African ally, breaking through China's blockade, and returned to Taiwan this morning aboard the King of Eswatini's special plane. 

President Lai's planned visit to Eswatini in late April was postponed due to China's intervention in the revocation of overflight permits for the presidential plane by three African countries, including Madagascar. On 2 May, President Lai traveled with Eswatini's Deputy Prime Minister Zathuli on the King's plane during her visit to Taiwan. After concluding his state visit last night, he returned to Taiwan on the same King's plane, accompanied by Zathuli, who also delivered a speech alongside President Lai.

The Eswatini presidential plane departed from the country at 6 pm on 4 May 2026, circling southeastern Africa, the southern Indian Ocean, and the Indonesian archipelago, avoiding restricted airspace, and returned to Taiwan this morning. As is customary, after the presidential plane enters Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), the Air Force dispatches fighter jets for escort, and the ROC Armed Forces' radar and air defense missile units simultaneously monitor the surrounding airspace.

Lai Ching-te returns from Eswatini Visit! He emphasizes Taiwanese People's right to engage with the World

Image : President Lai Ching-te returns to Taiwan after visiting Eswatini, an African ally. (Photo by Chu Pei-hsiung)

President Lai Ching-te successfully visited Eswatini, an African ally, breaking through China's diplomatic blockade. He returned to Taiwan on a special Eswatini plane. Upon disembarking, Lai Ching-te immediately held a press conference to announce to the nation, "We're back!"

Lai Ching-te stated that the visit, from 2 to 5 May 2026, lasted 84 hours, covering a round trip of 25,000 km. He expressed his gratitude for Eswatini's unwavering support, successfully completing his mission to visit the ally.

Lai Ching-te emphasized, "The earth is round, the world belongs to everyone, Taiwan belongs to the world, and Taiwanese people are global citizens. Taiwanese people have the right to go out into the world. Peace-loving and freedom-loving Taiwanese people will continue to uphold justice and rationality, and with a steady and responsible attitude, provide more participation and contributions on the world stage."

Refs.: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5425779, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/taiwan-lai-ching-te-returns-eswatini-trip-china-6100116

Taiwanese outrage over CCTV's criticism and Hsieh's ridiculous question

Direct translation

CCTV interrupts broadcast to criticize Lai Ching-te's "Sneaky Diplomacy," Hsieh Han-ping adds ridiculous question, sparks Outrage!

https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5424047 / Image : Lai Ching-te successfully visited Eswatini, escaping diplomatic pressure from China. (Photo taken from Lai Ching-te's Facebook)

President Lai Ching-te successfully arrived in Eswatini, a friendly nation of Taiwan, breaking through China's diplomatic blockade. Immediately after the news broke, CCTV, the official media outlet of the Chinese Communist Party, interrupted its broadcast to harshly criticize Lai Ching-te. A pro-KMT commentator also mocked Lai Ching-te for "sneaking back," jokingly asking, "How are you going to get back?", drawing fierce criticism from Taiwanese netizens.

Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to lead a delegation to Eswatini on April 22, but the trip was abruptly cancelled on the eve of departure due to pressure from China for Sesil, Mauritius, and Madagascar to cancel the flight permit for his special plane. However, yesterday evening (2 April), Lai Ching-te unexpectedly announced on Facebook that he had successfully arrived in Eswatini, sparking heated discussion.

It is understood that through meticulous arrangements by his diplomatic and national security teams, King Mswati III dispatched Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Motsa Dladla as a special envoy, who traveled to Taiwan on the King's special plane. Lai Ching-te boarded the same plane in the early hours of April 2nd, flying directly from Taipei to Eswatini, successfully breaking through the blockade.

After the news broke, CCTV urgently interrupted its broadcast, harshly criticizing Lai Ching-te for "sneaking onto a foreign plane to escape Taiwan, squandering public funds, staging a farcical escape, and becoming an international laughingstock."

Furthermore, the Douyin account "Taiwan Strait Moment," which specializes in political propaganda and information warfare against Taiwan, also aired a clip of commentator Hsieh Han-ping mocking Lai Ching-te on a pro-KMT political talk show. Hsieh Han-ping sarcastically remarked that Lai Ching-te's trip to a friendly nation was "like a thief, which is really quite ugly." Hsieh Han-ping also asked Lai Ching-te, facing a diplomatic blockade from China, "How are you going to come back?" followed by a highly sarcastic smile.

Netizens were outraged, commenting: "Hsieh Han-ping, your mockery is utterly despicable. Don't you want Taiwan to improve? Get out of Taiwan and become Chinese again, you're a disgrace!", "It's truly evil; the pro-Taiwan independence supporters are all repulsive.", "Did I even spend Chinese RMB?", "It's not like I'm spending the CCP's money; what's wrong with spending public funds?", "So you're all so happy when the Taiwanese president is in trouble? There's always a group eager to badmouth Taiwan.", "Seeing the faces of these trashy people is truly laughable.", "The truly ugly ones are yourself and the CCP. You can't stand seeing the president do well, you can't stand seeing Taiwan progress, and everything the ruling party does is wrong in your eyes."

Image : Hsieh Han-ping sarcastically asked Lai Ching-te how he planned to return to Taiwan. (Image from Threads)

See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk-Dnt5suMk

The history of Eswatini's A340

Translation, editing : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Two different circumstances with Taiwan's aircraft! Panama uses Legacy 600 as Rescue Plane, Eswatini's Presidential Aircraft becomes a key contributor to President Lai's visit

Reporter : Huang Jingxuan / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5424043 / Image : President Lai Ching-te successfully made a state visit to Eswatini by taking a direct flight on the Eswatini presidential aircraft, breaking through China's blockade. (Screenshot from Lai Ching-te's Facebook)

President Lai Ching-te's successful visit to Eswatini owes much to the Eswatini presidential aircraft. Taiwan donated a rescue plane to the Panamanian government in 2009, but it was converted into a presidential aircraft; the A340 that Taiwan resold to Eswatini in 2016 is still in use and became a key contributor to President Lai's successful visit.

In 2010, during the presidency of Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan donated a Legacy 600 aircraft to Panama, a then-diplomatic ally, for use as a rescue plane. However, then-Panama President Ricardo Martinelli converted the rescue plane into a presidential aircraft, adding large dining tables, leather chairs, and other luxurious amenities, and even used it to attend the inauguration of then-Honduran President Porfirio Lobo.

In 2016, during the presidency of Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan resold a China Airlines A340 aircraft to Eswatini for approximately US$12 million. The aircraft, registration number 3DC-SDF, arrived in Eswatini in 2018; it was 25 years old. Military technology commentator James Jseng pointed out that the A340 ceased production as early as 2011 and was gradually phased out globally. Parts were difficult to obtain and maintenance costs were high, but this King Swan aircraft was still able to complete a 14-hour long-distance flight, which means that there is still complete and reliable maintenance support behind it.

Image of Eswatini's A340: Screenshot from the.plane.enthusiast

See also: https://x.com/daddyhope/status/1411683232198840325, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEFIrUDFeNU

Eswatini's major newspapers coverage of President Lai's visit

 Direct translation

Breaking China's Blockade! President Lai Arrives in Eswatini; Front Page Coverage in Two Major Local Newspapers

Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5424096 / Image : Eswatini's two major newspapers, the *Times of Eswatini* and the *Eswatini Observer*, both featured President Lai's arrival on their front pages. (Provided by the Presidential Office)

President Lai Ching-te broke through China's blockade and successfully arrived in Eswatini for a state visit on 2 May 2026 (local time). Eswatini's two major newspapers, the *Times of Eswatini* and the *Eswatini Observer*, both featured the news on their front pages today (Sunday, 3 May 2026), highlighting the importance the Eswatini government and people attach to the visit of the Taiwanese head of state.

The Times of Eswatini, Eswatini's oldest and largest-circulation newspaper, ran a lengthy report on the visit on the 3rd titled "Taiwan President Arrives in Eswatini," including a photo of President Lai shaking hands with King Mswati III of Eswatini, highlighting the high importance the Eswatini government and people placed on the Taiwanese head of state's visit.

The Eswatini Observer, established for over 40 years, has a relatively stable reporting style. It also ran a front-page report titled "TAIWAN PRESIDENT JETS IN." The article mentioned that the trip had previously encountered difficulties due to the revocation of the special plane's overflight permit, but ultimately proceeded smoothly.

In addition, the Eswatini Positive News, an online media outlet in Eswatini, also gave extensive coverage to President Lai's visit to Eswatini, with the headline "NO COUNTRY HAS A RIGHT TO BLOCK TAIWAN FROM THE WORLD," expressing its emphasis on and support for President Lai's visit.

Trump targets Xi Jinping?

 Direct translation

Trump's Shocking Message: Targeting Xi Jinping?

Reported and edited by : Fang Xun / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0503/2379344.html / Image : President Trump delivered a speech at the Palm Beach Forum Club's annual dinner on Friday. (Associated Press)

On Friday evening, 1 May 2026, at the Palm Beach Forum Club's annual dinner held at the Clavis Center in West Palm Beach, Trump once again shocked geopolitical circles with his penetrating humor. Reflecting on the venue's magnificent architecture, Trump joked, "The foundation of this banquet hall is so deep, I think it's almost reaching China." This seemingly lighthearted joke instantly ignited the atmosphere, but strategic observers saw it as far from a jest; rather, it was a highly targeted political jab at the Chinese Communist Party leadership as Trump actively reshaped the deterrent power of the American leader.

Through this direct reference to "reaching China," Trump cleverly used the metaphor of geographical depth to demonstrate the U.S. military's physical strike capability, capable of penetrating any cover. This expression, while positively reshaping his image as a "powerful commander," has also sparked widespread predictions that his future strategy towards China might involve "decapitation strikes." Aboluowang commentator Wang Duran points out that Trump, through this highly charismatic banter, is actually sending a direct psychological signal to Xi Jinping and the core leadership of China: Faced with the U.S. military's comprehensive and deep-penetrating targeted elimination system, the so-called underground command center is no longer a safe haven. This logic of linking "foundation depth" with "strike precision" demonstrates Trump's strategic ambition to directly intimidate the core of his adversaries through his strong personal will.

This unconventional "Trump-style deterrence" is becoming the most chilling part of his political assets. This rhetoric suggests that in future power struggles with the CCP, Trump may even use "direct consequences targeting the leader" as the ultimate bargaining chip. His performance last night successfully transformed the "foundation joke" into a psychological weapon that subdues the enemy without fighting, not only winning cheers from the audience but also subtly constructing a tactical high-pressure strategy of being ready to "physically remove" the authoritarian core at any time. This comprehensive suppression, from the deepest foundations to the highest levels of power, has once again shown the world a powerful leader at the peak of his power, ready to launch a swift and decisive strike.

Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNbgymorU4

Inflight Pictures : Singapore Airlines Cargo B747F

Photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

Lai Ching-te arrives in Eswatini on 2 May 2026 by Eswatini's A340

 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

Reporter : Su Yongyao / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5423284 / Image : File Photo

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.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjTrnLVvtG0