Taiwan President Defiant on Eswatini Trip as China Calls Him a “Rat”

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te defended his country’s right to engage internationally after arriving in Eswatini for a surprise visit that Taipei said Beijing tried to block. Lai told King Mswati III that “Taiwan has a right to engage with the world and no country can stop that,” asserting sovereignty and diplomatic freedom .

China reacted sharply, condemning Lai and describing him as a “rat”, according to Chinese state commentary cited in the report .
Beijing maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes official exchanges between Taipei and foreign governments.

The trip underscores Taiwan’s effort to preserve ties with its only African ally, Eswatini, amid growing Chinese pressure on nations to sever relations with Taipei. Reuters footage shows Lai’s arrival and remarks to the king, while the report notes that Beijing sought to cancel the visit through diplomatic channels .