By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE:Sibusiso Nhlabatsi, a highly regarded lawyer says, eSwatini might soon be isolated diplomatically within the continent should China decides to halt support for the African Union(AU) and other bodies based on the fact, a country that undermines the United Nations(UN) Resolution 2758 that adopted the “One China Policy” will also benefit.

The lawyer was speaking to this Swaziland News on Thursday evening when asked to comment or share a view regarding eSwatini’s foreign policy, with regards to the One China Policy. 

This comes after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa,when visiting China recently,expressed continued support for the One China Policy adding that, South Africa has witnessed significant growth in trade and investments as a result of the diplomatic relations with People’s Republic of China(PRC).

During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Ramaphosa addressed all African leaders, reaffirming South Africa’s stance on the One China Policy.He said the South African Government reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy recognizing that, there “is but one China in the world.

\"The South African Government reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Policy, recognised that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. South Africa supports efforts made by the Chinese Government to achieve national reunification”, said the South African President.

On another note, eSwatini Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini who was representing King Mswati, expressed support for Taiwan when addressing the United Nations(UN) General Assembly recently, which violates the UN Resolution 2758 of 1971 that recognized the One China Policy, in terms of the United Nations Resolution,Taiwan is regarded as a Chinese Province.

But lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi when asked to analyse how the eSwatini foreign policy with regards to the One China Policy might affect the country in the future said,China might soon isolate eSwatini by using bodies like the African Union and other countries.

“Eswatini might soon be isolated diplomatically and in terms of trade and investments because all the African countries including South Africa are recognizing the One China Policy. So if China can tell the African Union that we won’t provide this support because there’s eSwatini among you, a country that undermines the One China Policy, eSwatini might be isolated. But the King might not be personally affected because Taiwan is paying him directly for maintaining these diplomatic relations”,said the lawyer.