Swazi-Taiwanese relations will go on as usual, despite pressure from Chinese
Mbabane — eSwatini, formerly known as Swaziland, will maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a government spokesperson said on Friday, despite Chinese pressure on the Southern African nation to sever ties with Taiwan. ESwatini has had close relations with Taiwan for several decades and is its last remaining African ally after a concerted push by Beijing to isolate the self-ruled island off the east coast of China. The Chinese government’s top diplomat urged eSwatini in May to follow the West African state of Burkina Faso in ending ties with Taiwan, which Beijing says is a Chinese province. "There is no change of heart or position on our ties with Taiwan. Whoever spreads rumours that we will ditch Taiwan can be referred to as a fake news peddler," said Percy Simelane, an eSwatini spokesperson. King Mswati III changed his country’s name to eSwatini, meaning "land of the Swazis", in April during celebrations to mark 50 years of independence. China’s foreign ministry said on Friday ...
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