Beijing Obstructs President Lai's Visit to Allies, U.S. State Department Urges End to Pressure on Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te successfully returned to Taiwan after concluding his visit to Eswatini despite Chinese interference. The U.S. State Department stated that countries should not interfere with routine visits by Taiwanese officials and called on China to cease its pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 08:25
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 08:31 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 08:37 (5 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, 5th exclusive report) President Lai Ching-te successfully returned to Taiwan after concluding his visit to Eswatini. This visit was previously postponed due to Chinese interference, and even after President Lai arrived in Eswatini, Beijing did not give up on attempting to obstruct his return journey. The U.S. State Department stated today that countries should not interfere with the safety and dignity of routine visits by Taiwanese officials and called on China to cease its pressure on Taiwan.
President Lai was originally scheduled to visit Taiwan's African ally Eswatini on April 22. Due to Chinese interference, three African nations—Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—temporarily revoked flight permits for the presidential plane, leading to a postponement of the trip. However, the Presidential Office promptly reactivated the visit, and President Lai arrived in Eswatini on May 2 to begin his state visit.
President Lai subsequently concluded his visit and returned to Taiwan on the 5th, Taipei time. National security officials revealed that China continued strong diplomatic mobilization in recent days, attempting to influence President Lai's return journey plans. From the flight path of his return to Taiwan, the special plane flew southeast after leaving the African continent, clearly avoiding Madagascar and Mauritius.
Regarding China's attempts to obstruct President Lai's visit, whether the U.S. is concerned that Beijing's increased pressure on Taiwan will make President Lai's future visits more difficult, and whether the U.S. will assist Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson responded to a Central News Agency reporter's inquiry via email on background, stating that countries should not interfere with the safety and dignity of routine visits by Taiwanese officials.
The spokesperson also said: "We call on Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue."
In addition, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing on May 14-15 to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to media questions at a White House press conference today, stating that he is certain Taiwan will be one of the topics discussed at the Trump-Xi summit.
He also said: "We do not want anything to happen that would destabilize Taiwan or the Indo-Pacific region, and I think that is beneficial to both the United States and China." (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, 5th exclusive report) President Lai Ching-te successfully returned to Taiwan after concluding his visit to Eswatini. This visit was previously postponed due to Chinese interference, and even after President Lai arrived in Eswatini, Beijing did not give up on attempting to obstruct his return journey. The U.S. State Department stated today that countries should not interfere with the safety and dignity of routine visits by Taiwanese officials and called on China to cease its pressure on Taiwan.
President Lai was originally scheduled to visit Taiwan's African ally Eswatini on April 22. Due to Chinese interference, three African nations—Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—temporarily revoked flight permits for the presidential plane, leading to a postponement of the trip. However, the Presidential Office promptly reactivated the visit, and President Lai arrived in Eswatini on May 2 to begin his state visit.
President Lai subsequently concluded his visit and returned to Taiwan on the 5th, Taipei time. National security officials revealed that China continued strong diplomatic mobilization in recent days, attempting to influence President Lai's return journey plans. From the flight path of his return to Taiwan, the special plane flew southeast after leaving the African continent, clearly avoiding Madagascar and Mauritius.
Regarding China's attempts to obstruct President Lai's visit, whether the U.S. is concerned that Beijing's increased pressure on Taiwan will make President Lai's future visits more difficult, and whether the U.S. will assist Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson responded to a Central News Agency reporter's inquiry via email on background, stating that countries should not interfere with the safety and dignity of routine visits by Taiwanese officials.
The spokesperson also said: "We call on Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue."
In addition, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing on May 14-15 to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded to media questions at a White House press conference today, stating that he is certain Taiwan will be one of the topics discussed at the Trump-Xi summit.
He also said: "We do not want anything to happen that would destabilize Taiwan or the Indo-Pacific region, and I think that is beneficial to both the United States and China." (Edited by Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150506
Choosing to stand with facts, every sponsorship from you is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.