BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– This morning, Eswatini Prime Minister His Excellency Cleopas Dlamini has denounced any bullying and/or aggression towards the Republic of China (Taiwan).
He expressed himself during a meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen in Taipei at the Presidential Office, today.
As reported by Focus Taiwan this morning, the Eswatini PM said the Kingdom remained committed to its 55-year diplomatic relations with Taiwan and is opposed to any sort of bullying or aggression against Taiwan.
“Eswatini stands in solidarity with the Republic of China (Taiwan) in international forums, making full advocacy for Taiwan to be admitted into the United Nations and its agencies to share Taiwan’s knowledge and expertise on issues affecting the world.
“Furthermore, Eswatini is fully opposed to any sort of bullying or aggression by any country or state, as we believe people should maintain the freedom to choose how to be governed, and state sovereignty should be respected at all times,” said His Excellency, referring to China’s on-going military and economic coercion of Taiwan.
The PM further said the people of Taiwan should be governed within Taiwan by a government they elect themselves in fair and free elections, with no external pressure.
The visiting PM also thanked the Taiwan Government for its decades-long support of Eswatini, a landlocked country in Southern Africa.
“The cordial ties have brought tangible outcomes to the development of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” especially its rural areas, he said.
President Tsai, meanwhile, welcomed Dlamini on his first visit to Taiwan since assuming office as Prime Minister in July 2021.
She also said that on her last visit to Eswatini in 2018, she was deeply impressed with the majestic landscape of Africa and the warm welcome of the people of Eswatini.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, Taiwan and Eswatini supported each other by jointly manufacturing surgical face masks.
“The two countries will continue to work closely, in both the private and public sectors, to deepen their ties, as they move toward the celebration of the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations,” said Ing-wen.
Dlamini arrived on a state visit to Taiwan on Sunday, with a delegation that includes Eswatini’s Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Lomvula Hlophe, who is his wife, Minister of Economic Planning and Development Tambo Gina, and Principal Secretary in that Ministry, Thabsile Mlangeni.
The delegation’s agenda includes meetings with Tsai, other senior government officials, and representatives of Taiwanese businesses that have investments in Eswatini, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which did not disclose the length of the visit.
Eswatini is the only African state and one of 14 countries worldwide that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
