King Mswati III of Eswatini has reaffirmed his country's commitment to strengthening its "enduring friendship" with Taiwan during a visit to Taipei. The monarch's trip comes after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini in May, which China had attempted to block. King Mswati III is set to attend Taiwan's national day celebrations on Saturday, highlighting the close ties between the two nations. Eswatini is one of only 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The visit is significant for Taiwan, which is seeking to maintain its international presence amid pressure from China. China views Taiwan as part of its own territory and has been trying to isolate it diplomatically. Taiwan's government has made it a priority to maintain ties with the 12 countries that recognize it, mostly small states in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. King Mswati III's visit is seen as a boost to Taiwan's efforts to strengthen its international relationships.
In April, Taiwan accused China of pressuring three African countries to block overflight permission for President Lai Ching-te's aircraft, causing him to postpone a planned trip to celebrate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession. The incident marked the first time a Taiwanese president had cancelled an entire foreign trip due to denial of airspace access. The EU, US, and Britain expressed concern at the time, highlighting the international attention on China's actions.
During his visit, King Mswati III reiterated Eswatini's support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN. Taiwan does not belong to the UN due to Beijing's objections, and Eswatini has pledged to continue advocating for its inclusion. The king's comments were echoed by President Lai Ching-te, who described the relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini as one of trust and partnership. The two leaders emphasized their commitment to strengthening ties between their countries.
The visit has sparked a reaction from China, which condemned Eswatini's leaders for being "kept and fed" by Taiwan in May. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on King Mswati III's trip to Taiwan. The incident highlights the complex geopolitics at play, with China seeking to exert its influence over Taiwan and its international relationships.
President Lai Ching-te's return flight to Taipei in May took a route skirting airspace controlled by Mauritius and Madagascar, two nations that Taiwan said were pressured by China to deny him airspace access. The incident underscores the challenges faced by Taiwan in maintaining its international presence. King Mswati III's visit is seen as a significant show of support for Taiwan amid these challenges.
The relationship between Eswatini and Taiwan is an important one for both countries. Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan for many years. The visit by King Mswati III serves as a reminder of the enduring friendship between the two nations and their commitment to strengthening ties for the benefit of their peoples.
Key points
- Eswatini's King Mswati III visits Taiwan, pledging to boost 'enduring friendship' amid China's pressure.
- Taiwan and Eswatini have maintained diplomatic relations, with Eswatini being one of only 12 countries that recognize Taiwan.
- The visit comes amid China's efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as part of its own territory.
