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Taiwan President's Eswatini Visit Sparks Outrage in Beijing, Defended by Ruling Party

From Liberty Times · (10m ago) Chinese Mixed tone

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te successfully visited Eswatini, drawing criticism from China's Taiwan Affairs Office and some Taiwanese opposition figures.
  • DPP legislative caucus whip Fan Yun stated that Beijing's anger indicates Taiwan is doing the right thing by engaging internationally.
  • Fan Yun criticized opposition figures for seemingly aligning with Beijing and emphasized Taiwan's right to international participation.

President Lai Ching-te's diplomatic visit to Eswatini, a staunch ally in Africa, has once again demonstrated Taiwan's resilience in the face of Beijing's persistent pressure. Despite the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) attempts to isolate Taiwan, President Lai's successful arrival signifies a triumph for Taiwan's 'value diplomacy.' The strong reaction from China's Taiwan Affairs Office, coupled with the echoing criticisms from some figures within Taiwan's opposition parties like KMT Chairwoman Sylvia Chang and former chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, only serves to validate Taiwan's diplomatic endeavors. As DPP legislative caucus whip Fan Yun aptly put it, when Beijing gets angry, it usually means Taiwan is on the right track. This perspective highlights a crucial difference in how this event is perceived locally versus internationally. While Western media might focus on the geopolitical chess match, for Taiwan, it's about asserting its right to exist and participate on the global stage as a sovereign entity, represented by its democratically elected president. The criticism from opposition figures, who seem to question Taiwan's international breakthroughs, raises serious questions about their alignment and commitment to Taiwan's interests over partisan politics or Beijing's agenda. President Lai's visit, focused on mutual support in security, economy, and digital health, underscores Taiwan's commitment to being a responsible global partner, offering assistance based on equality and dignity. The international community's recognition of Taiwan's diplomatic resilience, especially amidst China's obstruction, is a testament to Taiwan's growing international standing and the support it garners from friends worldwide.

Beijing's anger usually means Taiwan is doing something right.

โ€” Fan YunCommenting on China's negative reaction to President Lai's visit to Eswatini.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.