Taiwan president visits Eswatini after blaming China for previous cancelled trip

It is unclear how he reached Eswatini. China described his visit as a "stowaway-style escape farce".

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His visit to Eswatini - Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa - followed "days of careful arrangements by the diplomatic and national security teams", he said, without giving further details on how he reached the country.

China described the visit as a "stowaway-style escape farce". China views Taiwan as part of its territory with no right to state-to-state relations.

Images showed Lai being welcomed by Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini as he walked past a guard of honour.

Taiwan's delegation also included Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council Adviser Alex Huang, according to its presidential office.