China Warn Eswatini Against Relations with Taiwan

Speaking on Wednesday, Mao Ning, Spokesperson for China's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, pushed the small African Kingdom of Eswatini to reconsider developing ties with Taiwan."It is not in Eswatini's interest to develop official diplomatic relations with the Taiwan region," Ning said..What You Need to KnowCurrently, just 13 nations recognize Taiwan, with Eswatini since independence the only African nation to recognize and maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. As a result, Chinese aid in Africa–particularly projects under the Belt and Road Initiative–has evaded Eswatini.The only African nation not attending the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Summit, held between September 4th-6th, Eswatini remains a receiver of Taiwanese aid.In 2021, the asian nation pledged $22.9 million in aid towards the rebuilding of critical infrastructure and educational facilities in the aftermath of protests against the absolute monarchy in the country..So, What Now?Terminating relations with Taiwan in 2018, and turning towards cooperation with China, Burkina Faso left Eswatini as the last African nation acting as a bulwark against the 'one-China' Policy in the African continent.Pledging $50 billion dollars in funding to Africa at the China-Africa Cooperation Summit this week, Chinese officials are further expanding their ties with the continent, which has the become the epicenter of great power competition in recent years.With extreme poverty, corruption, and high unemployment common in Eswatini, it will be compelling to see if Taiwan's traditional partners such as the United States will step up its aid to the African kingdom in light of Chinas's recent monetary pledges across the continent.