Chinese authorities have sharply criticised Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, describing him as a destabilising figure over his recent visit to Eswatini, as tensions across the Taiwan Strait continue to simmer.
The comments were made on Saturday by Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to questions about Lai’s trip to the southern African nation.
According to the spokesperson, Lai encountered obstacles during his journey, with several countries reportedly declining to grant overflight permission for his aircraft. Despite these challenges, he proceeded with the visit by travelling on a plane linked to Eswatini, a move Beijing criticised as lacking transparency.
Chinese officials also questioned the timing of the trip, noting that it came as Taiwan was dealing with the aftermath of a recent earthquake. They argued that such actions raised concerns about leadership priorities during a period of domestic difficulty.
Reaffirming Beijing’s position, Chen stressed that adherence to the One-China principle remains the dominant view within the international community. He maintained that efforts by Taiwan’s leadership to expand its diplomatic footprint run counter to this widely accepted framework.
The spokesperson further dismissed what he described as Taiwan’s claimed diplomatic gains, characterising them as superficial and unlikely to alter the broader geopolitical reality.
China continues to assert that reunification with Taiwan is an inevitable outcome, underscoring its long-held stance that the island is an inseparable part of its territory.
