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Eswatini–Taiwan relations

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Eswatini–Taiwan relations
Map indicating locations of Eswatini and Taiwan

Eswatini
Taiwan
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Eswatini to TaiwanEmbassy of Taiwan to Eswatini
Envoy
Ambassador Promise Sithembiso MsibiAmbassador Jeremy H.S. Liang

Eswatini–Taiwan relations refer to the international relations between the Eswatini (officially the Kingdom of Eswatini) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China). Eswatini maintains an embassy in Taipei, and Taiwan maintains an embassy in Mbabane.

History

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Embassy of Taiwan in Mbabane

Eswatini recognized the Republic of China (ROC) over the People's Republic of China (PRC) on 16 September 1968, and have since maintained formal diplomatic relations with the ROC.[1]

Eswatini is one of 12 nations that officially recognizes Taiwan. In May 2018, Burkina Faso switched to recognize the People's Republic of China,[2] thus ending diplomatic ties with Taiwan, making Eswatini the last African country to recognize the ROC instead of the PRC.[3]

On the 2018 summit of Forum on China–Africa Cooperation in Beijing, China declared “we hope that by the time the China-Africa cooperation forum Beijing summit happens, we can have a happy picture of the whole family”, i.e. it hopes to establish diplomatic relations with Swaziland before the summit begins.[4] The government of Eswatini has rejected these overtures from the People's Republic of China.[5][6] In response, China has turned up the visa restrictions on Swazis to force Eswatini to establish diplomatic links with itself. Declaring "No diplomatic relations, no business benefits." In response to the Chinese pressure on Eswatini, Ou Jiang'an, the director of the Foreign Ministry Information Department of Taiwan said "The ugly nature of the Chinese regime and its despicable means of suppression are contemptible, and it should be deterred by international public opinion."[7]

The Economist claimed in 2021 that Eswatini's relations with Taiwan are second in importance only to those with South Africa.[8]

Bilateral visits

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President Tsai Ing-wen meeting Prime Minister Russell Dlamini
President Lai Ching-te and King Mswati III in May 2026

In June 2018, King of Eswatini, Mswati III, made his 17th[9] visit to Taiwan, after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visited Eswatini in April.[10]

In April 2026, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te suspended his planned trip to Eswatini after China pressured Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to revoke overflight permissions for his chartered plane.[11][12][13] Additionally, the Czech and German governments denied requests for Taiwan to let President Lai to fly through Czech and German airspace en route to Eswatini.[14] Despite China's pressures, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung arrived in Eswatini 5 days later, saying Taiwan would not be held back by "authoritarian forces".[15] Following this incident, Eswatini Deputy Prime Minister Thuli Dladla swiftly visited Taiwan on 30 April. President Lai was quoted by the Presidential Office saying "the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini cannot be shaken by Chinese pressure, as the two nations do not bow to hegemons".[16]

On 2 May 2026, President Lai Ching-te travelled to Eswatini.[17] This act angered China, who described the visit as a "stowaway-style escape farce" and condemned Lai as a "rat".[18][19]

During the state visit, Lai was received by King Mswati III at Mandvulo Grand Hall and welcomed by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini.[20] Eswatini's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu, and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung signed a Joint Communiqué to strengthen trade and cooperation between the two countries, together with a customs agreement.[20] Around the time of the visit, China extended tariff-free access to its market to African countries with which it holds diplomatic ties while continuing to exclude Eswatini, which remained the only African state without such access owing to its recognition of Taipei.[20][21] Lai concluded the visit on 4 May and returned to Taiwan the following day, his aircraft escorted on the final leg of the journey by four Republic of China Air Force F-16 jets.[22]

Economic relations

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In 2024, Eswatini exported US$171,000 to Taiwan and Taiwan exported US$7.88 million to Eswatini. The main products that Eswatini exports to Taiwan are frozen beef, raw sugar and processed fruits and nuts; the main products that Taiwan exports to Eswatini are rice, paper machines and textile footwear.

From 2019 to 2024, exports from Eswatini to Taiwan decreased at an annualized rate of 25.3%, from US$735,000 in 2019 to US$171,000 in 2024. Exports from Taiwan to Eswatini decreased at an annualized rate of 14%, from US$16.8 million in 2019 to US$7.88 million in 2024.[23]

Taiwan has been constructing a large industrial park and strategic oil reserve in Eswatini, named the Taiwan Innovation Park.[24] Outside of the Taiwan Innovation Park, Taiwanese firms in 2025 provided 13,000 jobs for Eswatini.[25]

Taiwanese aid

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Taiwan has provided economic aid to Eswatini, funding a rural electrification scheme and university scholarships.[26][9] Over 25 years it is estimated that aid is about two billion dollars.[27]

In September 2021, Taiwan announced it would be providing US$22.9 million in aid to repair schools, hospitals and other infrastructure that were damaged during the civil unrest.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "中華民國外交部105年外交年鑑" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). May 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  2. ↑ 公眾外交協調會 (24 May 2018). "中華民國政府基於維護國家尊嚴，決定自即日起終止與布吉納法索的外交關係". 中華民國外交部.
  3. ↑ Swaziland, Mike Unwin, Richard E. Grant, Bradt Travel Guides, 2012, page 107
  4. ↑ "China angles for Swaziland to ditch Taiwan before major African summit". Reuters. 1 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "eSwatini stands by Taiwan despite Chinese overtures". BBC News. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Latif Dahir, Abdi (5 October 2018). "More African presidents went to China's Africa forum than UN general assembly". qz.com. Quartz Africa. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  7. ↑ "中國限縮簽證報復史瓦帝尼與台灣邦交 外交部：醜陋本質、卑劣手段令人不齒" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 東森新聞雲. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  8. ↑ "King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch, cracks down". The Economist. 7 July 2021. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  9. 1 2 Madowo, Larry (14 January 2019). "eSwatini - Taiwan's last friend in Africa". BBC News. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  10. ↑ APA (7 June 2018). "Eswatini King Mswati III visits Taiwan". Club of Mozambique. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Taiwan president blames China for forced cancellation of Eswatini trip". The Guardian. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Taiwan leader postpones trip to Eswatini after overflight permits revoked". The Straits Times. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Lai's trip canceled over PRC pressure". Taipei Times. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  14. ↑ Leonard, Jenny; Lee, Yian; Wang, Cindy (29 April 2026). "Taiwan Leader's Last-Minute Plea to Fly Via Europe Was Rejected". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "Taiwan foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after president's trip blocked". Reuters. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "President hosts Eswatini envoy". Taipei Times. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "Taiwan President arrives in Eswatini after cancellation of prior trip". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  18. ↑ "Taiwan president visits Eswatini days after blaming China for cancelled trip". BBC News. 2026-05-04. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  19. ↑ "Taiwan president defiant as begins Eswatini trip; China calls him a 'rat'". The Japan Times. May 3, 2026. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  20. 1 2 3 Owolabi, Adekunle (2 May 2026). "King Mswati III receives Taiwan president after China attempted to block visit". Swazi24. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  21. ↑ "Taiwan's Lai lands in Eswatini in a trip delayed by lack of overflight clearance". NPR. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  22. ↑ Owolabi, Adekunle (6 May 2026). "F-16s escort Lai home after Eswatini visit". Swazi24. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Eswatini's exports to Taiwan". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
  24. ↑ "Taiwan president lands in Eswatini :: News | Times of Eswatini". www.times.co.sz. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
  25. ↑ "21 Taiwan businesses invest E1.85bn, create 13k jobs :: News | Times of Eswatini". www.times.co.sz. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
  26. ↑ "Eswatini King recovers from COVID-19 with Taiwan's help". Nikkei Asia. 20 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  27. ↑ Staff, T. N. L. (2024-02-01). "Eswatini Signs Declaration to Vow Tight Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan". The News Lens International Edition. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  28. ↑ Yi-hsuan, Lu; Chin, Jonathan (9 September 2021). "Taiwan pledges funds to Eswatini after unrest". Taipei Times. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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