King Mswati III of Eswatini touched down in Taipei on Friday, joining President Lai Ching‑te’s national day festivities and reaffirming the “enduring friendship” between the two nations. The visit comes after President Lai’s own trip to the southern African kingdom in May, a mission that China attempted to block.
Diplomatic ties highlighted
Eswatini is one of only a dozen countries worldwide that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a status the island nation regards as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. During a welcome ceremony on Liberty Square, the king said, “We deeply value the enduring friendship and cooperation between our two countries, and we look forward to strengthening these bonds for the benefit of our peoples.” President Lai echoed the sentiment, noting that the partners have always collaborated from a position of trust and mutual growth.
Advocacy for international participation
The monarch also pledged that Eswatini will continue to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations, a goal that remains blocked by Beijing’s objections. This stance aligns with Taiwan’s broader diplomatic strategy of securing support from its remaining allies.
China’s pressure tactics
Earlier this year, Taiwan accused China of pressuring three African nations to deny overflight permission for President Lai’s aircraft, forcing him to postpone a planned visit to Eswatini for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession. In May, Lai’s surprise trip to the kingdom employed an “arrive, then announce” approach, a method more commonly seen in visits to conflict‑affected regions such as Ukraine.
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the king’s Taiwan trip. The incident follows an April episode in which a Taiwan president cancelled an entire foreign trip after being denied airspace access—a tactic analysts view as a new Chinese strategy to limit Taiwan’s international engagements. The United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom all expressed concern at the time.
Flight route adjustments
President Lai’s return flight to Taipei in May, aboard the king’s private A‑340, was rerouted to avoid airspace controlled by Mauritius and Madagascar, two nations Taiwan says were pressured by China to deny him access.
In May, Chinese officials condemned Eswatini’s leaders for being “kept and fed” by Taiwan, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic rivalry over the island’s limited pool of allies.
Implications for regional diplomacy
The visit underscores the importance both Eswatini and Taiwan place on their partnership, especially as Beijing intensifies efforts to isolate the island diplomatically. For Eswatini, maintaining ties with Taiwan offers economic and technical cooperation opportunities that complement its development goals.
As the two nations celebrate Taiwan’s national day, the renewed commitment may signal a continued defiance of external pressure and a reaffirmation of shared values rooted in mutual respect and cooperation.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
