Online Reporter
Sunday News Correspondent
An important diplomatic development took place this week, which shows the importance of China-African relations and how they cannot be stopped from achieving historical achievement.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Lai Ching-te， leader of the Taiwan authorities ，has cancelled his trip to Eswatini, where he was due to attend the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession.
The tiny southern African kingdom, Eswatini, is the only country that recognises Taiwan – one of only 12 countries in the world. Consequently, it is the only country of 54 African nations that does not enjoy diplomatic relations with China.
The rest of the continent, including Zimbabwe, recognise the One China Principle, which asserts that there is only one China in the world, with the People’s Republic of China as its sole legal government, and Taiwan as an inalienable part of China.
The One China Principle is in itself a universally recognized norm of international relations, accepted by the international community as a consensus. It asserts that there is only one China, with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This principle was established on October 1, 1949, when the PRC was founded, and it has been recognized by the United Nations since 1971.
The principle is also reflected in diplomatic relations, with 183 countries having established diplomatic ties with the PRC, all of which acknowledge the One China Principle.
Africa is therefore acting in its collective interest as it has become Africa’s largest trading partner, a major infrastructure financier, and a central actor in industrialisation, agriculture, and technology transfer.
Under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (Focac), the two sides have a structured relationship that touches on all major aspects of foreign relations including peace and security, economic cooperation, technology, health, food security, among others. Relatedly, China enjoys strong bilateral ties with African countries, and has become in the majority of cases, the major development and trade partner.
This has underlined the building of the China-Africa community with a shared future is built on a strong foundation.
In 2024, while welcoming delegates to the Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping of China said: “The China-Africa community with a shared future is deeply rooted in our traditional friendship. Since the mid-20th century, we have been fighting shoulder to shoulder imperialism, colonialism, and hegemonism, and advancing hand in hand along the path of development, revitalization, and modernization. China-Africa friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.”
China is also a key and accessible partner for modernisation for both practical example and funding. President Xi stressed this explaining that, “We human beings have been dreaming of a community with a shared future, and modernization is what it takes to turn our dream into reality.
“China and Africa have been, and remain, pioneers in building this community, and we will stay at the forefront in pursuing modernization. I am confident that as long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united for this common goal, we will accomplish new and even greater feats together on the way toward modernization, spearhead the modernization drive of the Global South, and make greater contributions to a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Major milestone
From May 1,2026, the two sides will achieve a major milestone, when China is set to extend zero-tariff treatment on a wide range of African exports to countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing.
This opens Chinese markets to African agricultural produce, minerals, and manufactured goods on preferential terms—an opportunity that can accelerate industrialisation, job creation, and export diversification.
Eswatini, is therefore caught on the wrong side of history. In practical terms, it is also literally wasting its time and compromising its future economic wellbeing by the unfounded dalliance with Taiwan. With the rest of Africa aligned with Beijing, eSwatini risks isolation not only globally but regionally. Its stance places it at odds with continental consensus.
The preferential arrangement of the zero tariff policy excludes Eswatini due to its continued recognition of Taiwan. This creates a stark divergence: while the rest of Africa integrates more deeply into the world’s second-largest economy, eSwatini risks economic marginalisation.
One could imagine that eSwatini could seek to forge economic cooperation with Taiwan, but the reality is that Taiwan’s capacity to offer large-scale infrastructure, trade, or investment comparable to China is inherently constrained. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, for example, which is the signature infrastructure and connectivity programme , China’s investments have amounted to over US$1 trillion since its launch in 2013. In 2024 alone, there were about 340 deals worth USD 121.8 billion.
A poor African country like eSwatini would be wiser to consider its priorities: foreign policy is ultimately about national interest, not sentiment. It is hardly doing itself a favour, especially when the global economic playground is being ruffled by uncertainties, including disruptive policies of the United states of America.
Ironically, the US exacts 10 percent tariffs on all Swazi exports at this moment when China is opening its markets through the zero tariff stance.
African countries are charting a historical path with China.
One would posit that for Eswatini, re-engaging with Beijing would align eSwatini with continental norms, unlock economic opportunities, and reposition it within the mainstream of global diplomacy.
It can choose this pragmatic way, rather than being a lone voice against the inexorable march of history, which will see the reunification of Taiwan within China in a few years to come.
