MBABANE:Eswatini is the only African country that is not participating in the ongoing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) amid diplomatic relations with the Taiwan Province.
The tiny Kingdom situated in Southern Africa has about 70% of the population living below the poverty line, the country has been deprived of China’s trade and investment opportunities after it maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan in complete disregard of the United Nations(UN) Resolution 2758 of 1971 that adopted the One China Principle.
Addressing journalists this week in Beijing ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation attended by African Heads of State including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mao Ning, the Spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, it’s not in the best interest of eSwatini to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan while missing out on trade and investment opportunities that benefit other African countries.
“There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is a prevailing consensus in the international community. African countries widely support the one-China principle and view their cooperation with China as helpful for Africa’s economic prosperity and sustainable development.Developing official relations with the Taiwan region is not in Eswatini’s interest. We believe Eswatini will eventually see the prevailing trend in the world and make the right decision accordingly”, said the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.
Mao Ning, the Spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.