By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Taiwan will soon construct an Industrial Park in the Kingdom of eSwatini a few months after being ‘kicked out’ of the neighboring South Africa and, stripped-off diplomatic status as per Resolution 2758 of the United Nations(UN).

The Taiwan Province was forced to close it’s Liaison Office in South Africa situated in the capital city-Pretoria and, establish a mere Commercial Office in Johannesburg but, the Province backed by the United States(US), appears to be strengthening diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of eSwatini.

Mancoba Khumalo, the Kingdom’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade released a statement on Wednesday announcing the establishment of the Industrial Park.

“The Kingdom of Eswatini announced today a landmark agreement to establish an exclusive Taiwanese Industrial Park, marking a significant milestone in the growing partnership between Eswatini and Taiwan”, reads the statement in part, released by the eSwatini Commerce Minister.

But French President Emmanuel Macron recently warned that, China might soon take over Taiwan, his statement was however, condemned by China after he cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, warning countries that “if Vladimir Putin could be allowed to take over some parts of Ukraine” that would mean, China will easily take over Taiwan and, with impunity.

Both Taiwan and eSwatini are close and strategic allies of the United States and the Kingdom is the only country in Africa with diplomatic relations with the Chinese Province.