Lawmakers pass resolution condemning China's obstruction of Lai Eswatini trip

Taipei, June 5 (CNA) The Legislature on Friday passed a resolution unanimously condemning what it described as Beijing's heavy-handed efforts that obstructed President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) planned visit to Eswatini in late April.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party introduced the resolution after the Presidential Office canceled Lai's planned visit to Eswatini on April 21, on the eve of his scheduled departure, citing the abrupt withdrawal of flight clearances by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar for Lai's chartered aircraft.

According to an unnamed national security official who spoke with CNA on April 21, China had threatened to revoke substantial debt relief for the three countries, halt financing, and impose further economic sanctions if they did not revoke clearance for Lai's flight.

In the resolution, the Legislature strongly denounced China's use of heavy-handed diplomatic and economic pressure to force third parties to revoke the flight clearances.

It said the actions endangered flight safety, violated international rules and norms, and undermined sovereign equality and noninterference, adding that they challenged the international order and suppressed the Republic of China's right to engage with the world.

"All lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, will stand united in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, democracy, freedom and international dignity," it concluded.

At the plenary session, the small opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus proposed passing the resolution as is. With no objections, it was adopted unanimously.

On May 2, Lai made a surprise visit to Eswatini by boarding the private aircraft of King Mswati III, which had carried his special envoy Thulisile Dladla to Taipei on April 30.

By using the sovereign's jet, Lai was able to visit Eswatini, Taiwan's only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, for celebrations marking King Mswati III's 58th birthday and his 40th jubilee.

Lai returned to Taiwan on May 5, escorted once again by Dladla on the same aircraft.