Taiwan's president says state visits are 'basic right' after trip he says Beijing tried to block

TAOYUAN, Taiwan — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Tuesday it was a basic right for countries to hold state visits, as he returned from his three-day trip to the African kingdom of Eswatini, which his government says China tried to block. Lai was supposed to travel to the country, one of Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic partners last month, but had to cancel the initial trip owing to Chinese pressure, Taiwan's government said. China pressured three countries to revoke flight permits, denying Lai transit through their airspace, Taiwan's government said. China did not confirm whether or not they had pressured the countries, but thanked them for their support for Beijing's one-China principle. Undeterred, Lai rescheduled the trip, arriving in Eswatini on May 2, where he discussed cooperation on economic, agricultural, cultural and educational ties. “Just like going out to visit friends, this is every country’s basic right,” he said upon his arrival back in Taiwan Tuesday. “This trip, which was subject to obstruction, actually let the world see the Taiwanese public’s determinat

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