Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has arrived in Eswatini, days after his government said a trip had been cancelled due to China pressuring African countries to stop him flying over their territories.
His visit to Eswatini - Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa - followed "days of careful arrangements by the diplomatic and national security teams", he said, without giving further details on how he reached the country.
China described the visit as a "stowaway-style escape farce". China views Taiwan as part of its territory with no right to state-to-state relations.
Images showed Lai being welcomed by Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini as he walked past a guard of honour.
Taiwan's delegation also included Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and National Security Council Adviser Alex Huang, according to its presidential office.
