00:01After a major setback, and a dramatic arrival in diplomatic ally Eswatini, President Lai
00:08Qingde has returned to Taiwan.
00:10We've had 84 hours, we've had 25,000 kilometers of flight.
00:17We've completed this time with the international cooperation of the Svartini.
00:24Escorted by F-16 fighter jets, Lai's safe return to Taiwan marks the end of a historic
00:30chapter in Taiwan's diplomacy.
00:33He was supposed to visit the kingdom of Eswatini in late April, but he had to postpone his trip
00:39at the last minute because three countries along his flight path, Seychelles, Madagascar
00:44and Mauritius, abruptly revoked overflight permissions for his charter jet.
00:49Taipei says they did so due to Chinese interference.
00:53Despite the setback, Lai said his trip showcases Taiwan's determination to go out into the world.
01:22Lai's surprise arrival in Eswatini over the weekend has sparked discussions about how
01:27he was able to reach the African country, and more importantly, how he was going to come
01:32back.
01:33He revealed on Tuesday that he traveled both ways on Eswatini's official charter jet,
01:39accompanied by the country's deputy prime minister.
01:42For Lai's return trip, the jet took a path that avoided the three countries that originally
01:47denied his jet overflight.
01:49It was seen as a risky maneuver that traversed remote parts of the Indian Ocean.
01:54While it was an unconventional trip, Taiwan's foreign ministry says that pressure from China
02:00is nothing new when trying to carry out diplomacy.
02:06The U.S. State Department has expressed support for Lai's trip, saying Taiwan is a trusted and
02:15capable partner, and that its relationships around the world provide significant benefits,
02:21including to Eswatini.
02:22Several lawmakers from the state of Minnesota have also passed a resolution supporting Taiwan,
02:29while also approving of Lai's visit and condemning Beijing's pressure.
02:33With Lai successfully completing his trip to Eswatini, it marks a victory amid the growing
02:39diplomatic pressure China places on Taiwan.
02:42And his journey sends a broader message that despite the obstacles, Taipei is determined to
02:48keep showing up on the world stage.
02:50Justin Wu and Leslie Liao for Taiwan Plus.
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