Warning China not to play “mind games” with it, Swaziland, Taiwan’s last remaining ally in Africa, on Wednesday rebuffed Beijing’s overtures to switch ties before next month’s summit with African leaders here.
El Salvador, one of the 18 countries which recognised Taiwan as a separate nation, yesterday broke off ties with it and established diplomatic relations with China as Beijing continues to chip away Taiwan’s dwindling allies, alluring them with its economic clout.
China, which is holding a major two-day summit of African leaders starting from September 3, has urged Swaziland to join the event by severing links with Taiwan.
Briefing the media here about the summit, China’s assistant foreign minister Chen Xiaodong said Swaziland did not have relations with Beijing “for reasons that everyone knows”.
“We look forward to and hope that all African nations, with none left behind, can take part in positive China-Africa cooperation, and become a member of the largest family get-together,” Chen was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
“I believe that this is not just the pursuit of China; it is also a widespread shared expectation of African nations I believe that this target can, in the not too distant future, be realised,” he said.
In response to China’s call, Swaziland’s foreign affairs minister Mgwagwa Gamedze, who is on a visit to Taiwan, said his country will not switch its allegiance to China.
“They (China) must not play mind games because our relationship with Taiwan is over 50 years so we will not dump them,” the report quoted Gamedze as saying to Taiwanese media.