TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Air Force deployed four F-16 fighter jets to escort President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) back to Taiwan on Tuesday, as he returned aboard King Mswati III’s aircraft from a visit to Eswatini.

King Mswati III previously sent Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla to Taiwan aboard the king’s Airbus A340. To circumvent China’s obstruction, Lai and government officials also took the same aircraft to Eswatini, adopting an “arrive then announce” approach, with the trip only disclosed after landing, per Newtalk.

Lai again boarded the king’s aircraft for the return journey, arriving in Taiwan at around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday after a roughly 16-hour flight. The Air Force deployed four F-16 jets to escort the plane and ensure its safe arrival, per Youth Daily News.

Lai posted a video on Threads saying, “We’re back.” Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) shared the post on Threads, noting that everything Taiwan does internationally is more difficult than for others, but despite the challenges, Taiwan must continue to engage with the world.

Speaking at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Lai stressed that “The Republic of China, Taiwan, has proven through its actions that national power is demonstrated not through subordinating others, but through bringing happiness to all,” per CNA. He added, “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.

National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) posted a video to X of the four F-16 fighters taken from inside King Mswati III’s plane. He said the jets escorted Lai home from his trip to Eswatini and concluded, “Mission accomplished.”