TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) returned to Taiwan on Tuesday after a visit to Eswatini, saying Taiwan “will not retreat in the face of suppression.”

Lai had originally been scheduled to visit Eswatini on April 22, but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for his aircraft under Chinese pressure, forcing the trip to be postponed. He later departed on Saturday aboard Eswatini King Mswati III’s Airbus A340, which also passed over Madagascar, per SET News.

After concluding his visit, Lai boarded the king’s aircraft on Monday morning. His return drew significant attention, with more than 14,000 people tracking the flight on Flightradar24, making it the most-followed flight globally at the time, SET News reported.

Unlike the outbound route, Flightradar24 data showed the return flight did not pass over Seychelles, Mauritius, or Madagascar. Instead, it briefly crossed Mozambique and South Africa before heading southeast across the Indian Ocean.

While observers speculated the aircraft might refuel en route, it ultimately flew directly back to Taiwan, passing over Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, according to SET News.

Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, Lai said: “The world belongs to everyone. Taiwan belongs to the world. Taiwanese people are citizens of the world. Taiwanese people have the right to engage with the world. We will not retreat in the face of suppression,” per Reuters.

He added, “The fact that this trip was obstructed at one point only made the world see Taiwan's people's firm determination and will to engage with the world.”