Controversy Over President Lai's "Secretive" Visit to Eswatini; National Dignity Questioned

In early May 2026, President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa. However, the trip faced obstacles after several countries surrounding the Indian Ocean cancelled flight permits for the Taiwanese presidential plane under pressure from the PRC. Ultimately, Lai opted to "hitchhike" on the official plane of Eswatini's Deputy Prime Minister. The entire itinerary was kept strictly confidential, with details released only after his arrival. This irregular and extremely low-profile mode of visit was mocked by Beijing as a "sneaky intrusion." Domestically, opposition parties questioned whether such an undignified mode of travel severely damaged the prestige of the ROC head of state, highlighting the government's diplomatic helplessness.