Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te left Eswatini, the Asian island's only diplomatic ally in Africa, on Monday, airport sources said, concluding a trip delayed, Taipei said, due to Chinese pressure.
President Lai had arrived in the kingdom on Saturday for an official reception in the capital, Mbabane, which he was originally scheduled to visit from April 22 to 26 for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession to the throne and for his 58th birthday.
The trip was postponed after the Taiwanese president's flight authorizations were revoked by the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar following "strong pressure" from China, according to Taipei.
During his stay, which finally took place this weekend, Mr. Lai followed the progress of an oil depot project financed by Taiwan and visited a conference center where Taiwan plans to develop an industrial park.
"He left this morning (Monday) aboard the king's plane," a source at Eswatini's main airport told AFP, on condition of anonymity.
President Lai Ching-te's last overseas trip was in November 2024, when he visited Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, transiting through the U.S. territory of Guam.
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is among 12 countries that still recognize Taiwan's sovereignty, while China has convinced the others to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing.
In reaction to Mr. Lai's trip, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused him on Saturday of having engaged in "a parody of escape, stowaway style", making him "the laughing stock of the international community".
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and opposes its participation in international organizations and trade with third countries. It does not exclude the use of force to take control.
AFP
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