Lai, in a video message on Sunday to King Mswati III for the 40th anniversary of his accession, said the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is a “sovereign country” and belongs to the world.
“Our 23 million people have the right to engage with the international community. The greater the external pressure we face, the more courage and resolve we have,” he said in English.
China denied pressuring the three countries but praised them for blocking flight permission.
Lin did not offer details on his trip, saying only that his delegation “overcame all obstacles” to get to Eswatini in his capacity as Lai’s special envoy.
China says democratically governed Taiwan is one of its provinces, with no right to the trappings of a state.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
The United States last week criticised China’s actions, while the European Union, Britain, France and Germany also expressed concern.
