President visits Eswatini; National security sources: Taiwan has responsibility to ensure international norms
President Lai Ching-te resumed his state visit to Eswatini. National security officials cited three reasons for the resumption: Taiwan's inherent right to engage with the world, the warm invitation from Eswatini, and Taiwan's responsibility to work with democratic allies to uphold international norms.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 00:10
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kwei-hsiang, Taipei, 2nd) President Lai Ching-te arrived in allied African nation Eswatini today for a state visit. National security officials pointed out three reasons for restarting the visit, including Taiwan's inalienable right to engage with the world, the warm invitation from the King and government of Eswatini, and Taiwan's responsibility to work with all democratic allies to ensure international norms and order.
President Lai's visit to Eswatini was originally scheduled for April 22, but was temporarily suspended because three African countries—Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—unexpectedly and without cause canceled the flight permits for the special plane.
Regarding China's disruptive and destabilizing practice of "weaponizing flight safety," the US State Department recently accused China of pressuring the three African countries; an EU spokesperson also stated that decisions related to airspace management should be transparent and predictable, based on safety and stability considerations, and should not be used as a means to achieve political ends.
Regarding President Lai's arrival in Eswatini today for a state visit, national security officials explained the three reasons for restarting the trip: first, engaging with the world is an inalienable right of the Taiwanese people, and also 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.
National security officials pointed out that the third reason is that as a member of the international community, Taiwan has a responsibility to work with all democratic allies to ensure international norms and order.
As for the visit arrangements, national security officials stated that they were primarily based on considerations of national dignity, international norms, and flight safety principles, with the goal of accomplishing national diplomatic missions and ensuring the safety of the head of state and the delegation.
National security officials said that this visit adopted the "arrive then announce" model, which is common in high-level international diplomacy, to minimize various potential uncertain risks from external interference; the deployment arrangements for relevant security matters included the cooperation of many like-minded friends, including Eswatini, but due to tacit understanding and security necessities, details would not be disclosed externally.
National security officials pointed out that engaging with the world is an inherent right of the Taiwanese people and Taiwan's right as a member of the world. The goal of this visit is not only to demonstrate the will of the Taiwanese people and the will of the nation, but also to fulfill the international obligation to jointly maintain international norms and order. (Editors: Lin Ke-lun, Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150502
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(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kwei-hsiang, Taipei, 2nd) President Lai Ching-te arrived in allied African nation Eswatini today for a state visit. National security officials pointed out three reasons for restarting the visit, including Taiwan's inalienable right to engage with the world, the warm invitation from the King and government of Eswatini, and Taiwan's responsibility to work with all democratic allies to ensure international norms and order.
President Lai's visit to Eswatini was originally scheduled for April 22, but was temporarily suspended because three African countries—Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—unexpectedly and without cause canceled the flight permits for the special plane.
Regarding China's disruptive and destabilizing practice of "weaponizing flight safety," the US State Department recently accused China of pressuring the three African countries; an EU spokesperson also stated that decisions related to airspace management should be transparent and predictable, based on safety and stability considerations, and should not be used as a means to achieve political ends.
Regarding President Lai's arrival in Eswatini today for a state visit, national security officials explained the three reasons for restarting the trip: first, engaging with the world is an inalienable right of the Taiwanese people, and also 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.
National security officials pointed out that the third reason is that as a member of the international community, Taiwan has a responsibility to work with all democratic allies to ensure international norms and order.
As for the visit arrangements, national security officials stated that they were primarily based on considerations of national dignity, international norms, and flight safety principles, with the goal of accomplishing national diplomatic missions and ensuring the safety of the head of state and the delegation.
National security officials said that this visit adopted the "arrive then announce" model, which is common in high-level international diplomacy, to minimize various potential uncertain risks from external interference; the deployment arrangements for relevant security matters included the cooperation of many like-minded friends, including Eswatini, but due to tacit understanding and security necessities, details would not be disclosed externally.
National security officials pointed out that engaging with the world is an inherent right of the Taiwanese people and Taiwan's right as a member of the world. The goal of this visit is not only to demonstrate the will of the Taiwanese people and the will of the nation, but also to fulfill the international obligation to jointly maintain international norms and order. (Editors: Lin Ke-lun, Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150502
Choose to stand with the truth, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.