China warns Eswatini, others against backing Taiwan independence
China has called on Eswatini and some other nations to reconsider their stance on Taiwan, urging them to stop supporting separatist activities. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Saturday urged Eswatini and others to see where the arc of history bends and stop serving as the prop of “Taiwan independence” separatists. The spokesperson made the […]
China has called on Eswatini and some other nations to reconsider their stance on Taiwan, urging them to stop supporting separatist activities.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Saturday urged Eswatini and others to see where the arc of history bends and stop serving as the prop of “Taiwan independence” separatists.
The spokesperson made the remarks after Lai Ching-te, leader of the Taiwan region, travelled to Eswatini on Saturday on the private jet of the King of Eswatini.
According to Beijing, the trip has further strained sensitivities surrounding Taiwan’s international engagements.
Chinese officials criticised the timing and nature of the visit, noting that it came shortly after an earthquake in Taiwan.
The spokesperson alleged that Lai’s decision to travel abroad during the aftermath of the disaster reflected poorly on his leadership and priorities.
“Just hours after the Yilan earthquake, Lai Ching-te ditched the people in Taiwan who were still reeling from the disaster, and sneaked onto a foreign plane to ‘smuggle’ himself out of the island, squandering taxpayers’ money and performing a laughable stunt in front of the world, which just added yet another episode to the scandalous ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism.
“The indignified act of Lai Ching-te and his like once again proves that the one-China principle has long been a basic norm in international relations and prevailing international consensus.
“No matter how the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities collude with external forces and keep those people in DPP’s pay, it will always be a losing cause, and nothing will ever change the fact that Taiwan is part of China”, a statement from the foreign ministry quoted the spokesperson as saying.
Beijing reiterated its long-standing position that Taiwan is an integral part of China, stressing that the One-China principle remains a widely recognised norm in global diplomacy.
It argued that any attempts by Taiwan’s current leadership to expand its international space through partnerships with foreign governments would ultimately be unsuccessful.
The statement also accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of working with external actors to advance a pro-independence agenda, warning that such efforts would not alter the broader international consensus on Taiwan’s status.
Eswatini is currently the only African country that maintains formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a position that has increasingly drawn scrutiny from Beijing amid intensifying cross-strait tensions.
China has consistently urged countries around the world to adhere to the One-China principle, which recognises the government in Beijing as the sole legal representative of China and views Taiwan as part of its territory.