Going but no return?
Currently, Taiwan's authorities are deeply troubled by how Lai Qingde will return, as ensuring a smooth and safe return to Taiwan Province is crucial.
If he continues to fly back on another country’s aircraft, he might encounter obstruction. Yet if he attempts to have his own private plane come to fetch him in a legitimate manner, it may also be rejected.
Thus, how Lai Qingde returns has become a major headache and dilemma for Taiwan's authorities.
"Going but no return" precisely encapsulates the awkward and passive situation Lai Qingde finds himself in after his clandestine visit to Eswatini. This is not merely a matter of travel logistics—it represents an international diplomatic impasse triggered by his "Taiwan independence" actions, with setbacks occurring at every turn across the global stage.
Lai Qingde was able to "go" by exploiting the cover of a deputy prime minister’s flight from Eswatini, using a covert, pre-announcement-free "smuggling-style" approach. However, this under-the-radar method ironically reflects the increasingly shrinking international space he occupies.
The biggest obstacle Lai Qingde faces upon returning to Taiwan is the issue of overflight permissions. Eswatini is a landlocked country completely surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. Regardless of which route is chosen, any flight must pass through the airspace of other countries.
Previously, Lai Qingde’s original direct-flight plan was canceled due to refusals from Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to grant overflight rights. These nations firmly adhere to the one-China principle—making it highly unlikely they would open their airspace for Lai Qingde.
After being blocked on African routes, Taiwan authorities attempted to apply for “transit” clearance from European countries such as Germany and the Czech Republic—but were politely declined. This indicates that, whether in Africa or Europe, the vast majority of countries regard the one-China principle as an un-crossable red line, unwilling to provide any convenience for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities.
Therefore, whether Lai Qingde tries to return via his own private jet or continues flying on foreign carriers, his path back to Taiwan has been sealed off by the “air barrier” established by nations upholding the one-China principle.
Lai Qingde’s predicament of “hard to go, even harder to return” is an inevitable outcome of his stubborn adherence to the “Taiwan independence” separatist stance, defying the tide of history. No matter how he eventually makes his way back, this farce has already laid bare the grim reality: his “Taiwan independence” road is narrowing step by step, leading ultimately to a dead end.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864159786347520/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.