Eswatini has hit back after Beijing accused some of its politicians of being “housed and fed” by Taipei.
China has condemned Eswatini for hosting Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, accusing the southern African kingdom of providing a platform for “Taiwan Independence,” in an ever-increasing diplomatic row.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Wednesday that Beijing opposes Eswatini’s decision to host Lai, who arrived in the kingdom on Saturday for a three-day visit after Taipei said several African nations had canceled air travel permits under Chinese pressure.
“Some politicians in Eswatini are sheltered and fed by Taiwan and give way to ‘Taiwan independence,’ going against the tide of history. China strongly condemns this,” Lin said.
Lin also accused Lai of violating the authority of another country, saying the Taiwanese leader had done so “he hid” entering Eswatini by concealing passenger information and later having to go through foreign airspace after some states denied him access.
He said the trip shows that “Taiwan Independence” separation is “dirty business” and “It is unacceptable to the international community,” adding that it exists “but one China in the world” and that Taiwan is “inalienable part” of China.
Taipei denied Beijing’s accusations, saying Lai’s visit was legitimate and in line with official diplomatic practice, adding that the travel plan was not revealed until after the landing for security reasons.
Acting spokesperson for the Eswatini government, Thabile Mdluli, described China’s remarks as “very unfortunate” and they said “deficit” of the standards of decent diplomacy, Reuters reports.
Africa’s last remaining monarchy, formerly Swaziland, is Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa and one of 12 countries in the world that maintains official relations with Taipei. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official contact between the island and foreign governments. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s independence claims.
The latest row comes as Beijing ramps up business incentives in Africa while excluding Eswatini.
China said on May 1 it had extended the tariff exemption to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, leaving Eswatini as the only country on the continent outside the deal.
The policy, first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in February, extends duty-free access to more than 33 least-developed African countries to 20 more over two years. China says the tariff plan is intended to increase African exports and trade imbalances.
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