Eswatini's King Mswati III pledges closer ties with Taiwan

Eswatini's King Mswati III pledged to strengthen relations with Taiwan at a ceremony in Taipei on October 9. His visit precedes national day celebrations on October 10.

The monarch said his country would continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations. Eswatini is among 12 states maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China regards the island as part of its territory and opposes its separate international representation.

President Lai Ching-te described the two sides as partners who support one another and grow together. The king emphasised the value of their longstanding friendship and cooperation for their peoples.

The visit follows Lai's trip to Eswatini in May. In April, Taiwan accused China of pressuring three African countries to deny overflight permission for the president's aircraft. The original trip was postponed. Lai visited Eswatini in May without publicly announcing his arrival beforehand.

On the return flight, the king's aircraft skirted airspace controlled by Mauritius and Madagascar. Taiwan identified them among the countries it said Beijing had pressured. Those accusations reflect the position of Taiwan's authorities.