Taiwan’s leader, President Tsai Ing-wen, is set to visit Eswatini for the country’s 55th Independence Day celebration in her efforts to strengthen ties with its sole ally in Africa.
The African state will be marking its Independence anniversary, which also represents 55 years of bilateral relations between Taiwan and Eswatini.
The Taiwan President will be present in Eswatini from Tuesday to Thursday for the independence anniversary.
Tsai, 67, Taiwan’s first female leader, is slated to pay a visit to Eswtini’s monarch, King Mswati III, during her four-day visit, as well as a local hospital and some projects sponsored by the Taiwan government, before her return home on Friday.
Before her departure for Eswatini, the Taiwanese leader affirmed that her trip was to “celebrate the friendship between the two countries and promote sustainable cooperation.”.
Tsai added, “Eswatini has always stood up to firmly support Taiwan, giving us confidence and strength.”
The country formerly called Swaziland had denied allegations earlier in March that it used public assets as collateral in the event of a loan default to Taiwan after it was trapped in debt.
The country’s leading newspaper reported that the government offered two national assets as security if it failed to repay a loan for the construction of the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory without exercising its right to state-to-state relations with other countries. Taiwan currently has official ties with only 13 countries, with Eswatini as its sole ally on the African continent.
Eswatini is geographically surrounded by South Africa, whose economic ties with China have continued to deepen since President Xi Jinping visited in August.
Every September 6, the Kingdom of Eswatini celebrates its year of independence from British rule. Though a small country in terms of size, the second smallest in mainland Africa, it is a dynamic nation with a unique and fascinating civilisation and history.