China Calls Taiwan President a ‘Rat’ After Secret Visit to Eswatini

Context Taiwan’s only remaining African ally, the Kingdom of Eswatini, hosted President Lai Ching‑te for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s reign and his birthday. The visit came as Beijing intensified efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, insisting that the island is an inseparable part of China.

Key Facts - Lai’s aircraft was denied overflight clearance by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar in April, a move Taiwan attributes to Chinese pressure. The bans forced Lai to reroute on a private plane owned by the Eswatini king, delaying the trip until early May. - Upon arrival, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Bin‑hua described Lai’s entry as a secret, “rat‑like” infiltration, calling the visit a staged performance and a waste of taxpayer money. - Beijing urged Eswatini and other nations to “see the direction of history” and stop supporting what it calls Taiwanese separatism. - King Mswati III reaffirmed Eswatini’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan, rejecting Beijing’s demand to cut relations. - Lai defended the trip, stating that external pressure will not deter Taiwan from engaging internationally.

What It Means The episode illustrates Beijing’s willingness to use airspace denial as a tool of diplomatic coercion. By labeling Lai a “rat,” China seeks to delegitimize Taiwan’s outreach and warn other partners against similar engagements. Eswatini’s refusal to break ties signals that Taiwan can still retain footholds despite mounting pressure. The incident also highlights the logistical challenges Taiwan faces when its leaders travel abroad, as Chinese influence can disrupt routes and increase costs.

Future monitoring should focus on whether additional African or Asian states follow China’s lead in restricting overflight rights, and how Taiwan adapts its diplomatic strategy amid growing isolation tactics.