President Lai returns from Eswatini, vows Taiwan will not be intimidated

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) returned to Taiwan today (May 5) following a state visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini, touching down at Taoyuan International Airport after an 84-hour round trip spanning approximately 25,000 kilometers. 

Speaking to reporters and officials at the airport, Lai said Taiwan will continue to engage with the world regardless of outside pressure. He thanked King Mswati III, the Eswatini government, and its people for what he described as "sincere, warm, and unwavering support," noting that despite the geographic distance between the two nations, their friendship and mutual trust remain exceptionally strong.

Eswatini's Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla accompanied the delegation for the entire journey. Lai publicly acknowledged her role in ensuring the smooth execution of the visit.

The president reported concrete outcomes across multiple sectors, including energy security, industrial investment, agricultural cooperation, smart healthcare, women's empowerment, and cultural and educational exchanges — all areas where the two countries have built ties over more than half a century of diplomatic relations.

Lai addressed reports that the trip had faced external disruptions, pushing back firmly against what he characterized as an attempt to obstruct a routine exercise of sovereignty. 

"Visits between heads of state are perfectly ordinary — like going to see a friend. It is a fundamental right of every nation," he said.

Far from being deterred, Lai argued that the interference had only served to highlight Taiwan's resolve on the world stage and draw international attention to the importance of upholding a rules-based international order. 

"Ensuring that global peace and stability are not undermined is an urgent issue that the international community can no longer afford to ignore," he said.

Echoing a phrase he used throughout the trip — "The Earth is round, the world belongs to everyone, and Taiwan belongs to the world" — Lai reaffirmed that Taiwan's people have the right to engage internationally and will not back down in the face of intimidation. 

He pledged that Taiwan would continue to participate responsibly and constructively on the world stage, working alongside like-minded partners toward a more prosperous and peaceful future.

In his closing remarks, Lai expressed gratitude to the national security and foreign affairs teams, crediting their meticulous planning with ensuring the mission's success. 

He also thanked Taiwan's like-minded allies for their support, calling for continued collective action to safeguard international stability. "We will keep moving forward," Lai said. "Taiwan, keep it up. God bless Taiwan."