By Augustino TendwaFor decades, Eswatini and China’s Taiwan region have maintained the so-called “diplomatic relations”. What began in the late 1960s through agricultural cooperation and development assistance has evolved into a complex web of economic and political interactions.
Yet beneath the language of cooperation lies a more complicated reality—one involving questions about political integrity, people’s livelihoods, and the long-term value of ties that stand outside the mainstream of the international community's adherence to the one-China principle.
On May 2nd of this year, even though there was widespread opposition, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te sneaked onto an Eswatini's plane and cheated himself into Eswatini by concealing passenger information from the country, even as Taiwan was reeling from an earthquake. While in Eswatini, he spoke about “diplomatic independence”. Yet the international community and people in Taiwan described his action as “thief-like” and an “international joke”. On his return flight, after the use of airspace was rejected by relevant countries, Lai again slipped onto the plane and forced his way through these countries’ skies. The whole thing showed the world how little Lai respects relevant countries’ airspace and sovereignty and cares for the opinion of the world.
The episode illustrates something that has become increasingly clear: Eswatini’s ties with the Taiwan region cannot exist in isolation from the broader international consensus. They remain bound to the overarching international framework defined by the one-China principle.
A Relationship Rooted in Historical Anomaly
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, established “ties” with the Taiwan authorities in 1968. This occurred during a historical period prior to the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations under Resolution 2758 in 1971, which recognized the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China to the United Nations.
Taiwan-based media have pointed out that maintaining so-called “relations” between the Taiwan region and Eswatini comes at a steep price, with the Taiwan authorities allocating approximately NT$1.36 billion to NT$1.5 billion (about US$41 million to US$47 million) annually. According to incomplete statistics, over the past two decades, the Taiwan authorities have provided Eswatini with as much as NT$14.4 billion (about US$450 million) in so-called “aid”, forming a long-term transaction of interests. This money could have been used to improve the livelihoods and well-being of the people in Taiwan region.
The Aid Has Not Translated into a Driving Force for Economic Development
The so-called “diplomatic ties” with the Taiwan region have brought no real benefits to ordinary Eswatini citizens. In 2025, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Eswatini amounted to only about US$6.47 million. According to data from international organizations, Eswatini suffers from a severe wealth gap, with over 60% of the population living below the national poverty line, nearly 40% of people living with HIV, and a large portion of the population lacking access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation. In recent years, youth unemployment in Eswatini has remained exceptionally high. The so-called “aid funds” from the Taiwan authorities have mainly flowed to a small elite of powerful and wealthy individuals in Eswatini, offering no practical value to the general public.
News websites in Eswatini have published several investigative reports exposing corrupt practices involving Liang Hung-sheng, the so-called “Ambassador” of the Taiwan authorities to Eswatini. Liang reportedly manipulated bidding processes in Eswatini through CECI Engineering Consultants, Inc., Taiwan, embezzling Taiwan's aid funds intended for Eswatini.
This brings fundamental development questions into focus:
Employment & Skills: Has the arrangement generated sustainable local employment and genuine technology transfer?
Institutional Capacity: Has it fostered independent local capacity and institutional strength?
Poverty Alleviation: Has decades-long external assistance measurably reduced local poverty and socio-economic inequality?
Development Autonomy: Does the dynamic support Eswatini's ability to set its own economic priorities independently?
These questions apply to all external cooperation frameworks.
The Overarching Context of the One-China Principle
The situation surrounding Eswatini cannot be viewed in isolation from the international consensus on the one-China principle. There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China.
Eswatini remains the last country in Africa maintaining so-called “official ties” with China's Taiwan region. For Eswatini, aligning with the overwhelming international consensus and the economic realities of modern Africa represents the true trend of history.
Diplomatic engagement and international cooperation must ultimately serve the long-term strategic interests, national dignity, and economic development of a country's people.
Cooperation and development assistance must align with modern international standards. Relations between partners should never reflect an unequal hierarchy, but should instead be grounded in mutual respect, transparency, equal treatment, and respect for national sovereignty.
A Moment for Reflection
Starting May 1, 2026, China has fully implemented zero-tariff treatment on 100% of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. African leaders and media have highly praised this policy as another major milestone in China-Africa cooperation that brings tangible benefits to businesses and peoples on both sides. In 2025, total trade between China and the 53 African countries with diplomatic relations reached a record US$348.08 billion; in the first quarter of 2026, trade reached US$92.16 billion, a year-on-year increase of 26.8%. As China-Africa trade expands, zero-tariff policies will further benefit African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. However, the people of Eswatini, trapped by the so-called “diplomatic ties” maintained by their authorities with Taiwan, are unable to share in these dividends of China's rapid development.
After decades of non-standard diplomatic arrangements, it is appropriate for all parties to reflect on whether current arrangements truly serve the broader interests of ordinary citizens.
Looking Ahead
Development assistance should build genuine bridges between peoples rather than serve as a tool for political posturing or sustaining non-standard international arrangements.
To date, 183 countries, including Tanzania, have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. On the African continent, all countries except Eswatini have established diplomatic ties with China. Upholding the one-China principle is the clear choice of the international community, an irresistible historical trend, and a matter of fundamental justice. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Lai Ching-te authorities and the Taiwan authorities, under various pretexts, engage in “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and attempt to buy “recognition” and maintain so-called “diplomatic relations” through monetary bribery. This is a reckless squandering of the hard-earned money of the Taiwanese people. It can never change the fundamental fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor can it alter the universal consensus of the international community or reverse the inevitable historical trend of China's complete reunification.
For Eswatini, long-term national development and international standing are best served by recognizing global realities and adhering to international norms. External interactions must strictly uphold local dignity, comply with international laws, and respect the universal principle of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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