Eswatini remains a staunch ally despite China’s political and economic pressure, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late on Sunday, after Beijing reportedly threatened to cut business ties with the African nation if it maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
“Eswatini has reiterated its firm intentions to deepen its diplomatic relations with Taiwan, even in the face of pressure from China,” ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said in a statement.
The ministry wishes to express its “sincere appreciation and highest respect” to Eswatini for standing up to China’s efforts at suppression, she said, adding that Beijing was “rudely interfering in the economic activities of another nation.”
Photo: Screen grab from Twitter
The Times of Swaziland reported late last month that an undated statement reportedly issued by the Chinese embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, said that visa applications by Swazi citizens would be processed only at that embassy.
“According to the latest notification of the Chinese government, starting from January 10, 2020, visa applications of Swaziland citizens to mainland China will be processed by the Chinese embassy in South Africa,” the newspaper said on Jan. 24. “At the same time, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre and other Chinese diplomatic missions will not accept the applications anymore.”
Citizens of Eswatini used to be able to apply for China visas at any Chinese embassy or consulate office in South Africa.
South Africa’s Daily Maverick reported that Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian (林松添) indicated in a statement that not only have restrictions been imposed on visa applications, but his embassy could also keep a close watch on Swazi citizens planning to travel to China.
“Such an embarrassing situation is the result of Eswatini defying the ‘one China’ principle and maintaining so-called ‘diplomatic ties’ with the Taiwan authorities, a province of the PRC,” the Daily Maverick quoted Lin as saying in the statement.
The paper also reported that China was threatening to “cripple” Eswatini economically if it did not immediately switch recognition from Taiwan to China.
“No diplomatic relations, no more business benefits,” it quoted Lin as saying. “To maintain such an immoral and abnormal relations [sic] with Taiwan authority politically disregards the Eswatini national dignity, economically disregards the interest of its country and people.”
The Times of Swaziland reported that Beijing might have convinced Chinese businesses to stop trading with Swazi companies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is fully aware of Beijing’s actions against Eswatini and has been in close contact with Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, Minister of Foreign Affairs Thulisile Dladla and other top officials.
Taiwan would help Eswatini uphold its national dignity, the ministry said, responding to information it said it had obtained from its embassy in the African country.
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reported the first case of a new COVID-19 subvariant — BA.3.2 — in a 10-year-old Singaporean girl who had a fever upon arrival in Taiwan and tested positive for the disease. The girl left Taiwan on March 20 and the case did not have a direct impact on the local community, it said. The WHO added the BA.3.2 strain to its list of Variants Under Monitoring in December last year, but this was the first imported case of the COVID-19 variant in Taiwan, CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said. The girl arrived in Taiwan on
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park this weekend, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a theme food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances. Pokemon Go Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as photo attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs. Pokemon trainers could also experience the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area. Three PokeStops are to be set up in the park. Trainers are invited to take
RSS