Beijing has labelled Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s surprise visit to eSwatini, the island’s sole African ally, a political “stunt”. In a Facebook post on Saturday evening, Lai said he arrived earlier in the day. The eSwatini government also confirmed his arrival on its own Facebook page.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te asserted that foreign powers cannot dictate Taiwan's future, responding to recent US President Donald Trump statements suggesting arms sales to Taiwan could serve as negotiating leverage with Beijing. The remarks reflect deepening tensions over Taiwan's security amid ongoing Chinese military pressure and ambiguous US commitment to the island's defense.