Taipei: The Legislature on Friday passed a resolution unanimously condemning what it described as Beijing's heavy-handed efforts that obstructed President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini in late April.According to Focus Taiwan, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party introduced the resolution after the Presidential Office canceled Lai's planned visit to Eswatini on April 21, on the eve of his scheduled departure. The cancellation was attributed to the abrupt withdrawal of flight clearances by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar for Lai's chartered aircraft.An unnamed national security official, speaking with CNA on April 21, indicated that China had threatened to revoke substantial debt relief for the three countries, halt financing, and impose further economic sanctions if they did not revoke clearance for Lai's flight.In the resolution, the Legislature strongly denounced China's use of heavy-handed diplomatic and economic pressure to force third parties to revoke the flight clearances. It s tated that the actions endangered flight safety, violated international rules and norms, and undermined sovereign equality and noninterference. The Legislature added that these actions challenged the international order and suppressed the Republic of China's right to engage with the world."All lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, will stand united in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, democracy, freedom, and international dignity," the resolution concluded.During the plenary session, the small opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) caucus proposed passing the resolution as is. With no objections, it was adopted unanimously.On May 2, Lai made a surprise visit to Eswatini by boarding the private aircraft of King Mswati III, which had carried his special envoy Thulisile Dladla to Taipei on April 30. By using the sovereign's jet, Lai was able to visit Eswatini, Taiwan's only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, for celebrations marking King Mswati III's 58th birthday and his 40th jubilee. Lai ret urned to Taiwan on May 5, escorted once again by Dladla on the same aircraft.