Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
Taiwan president heads to last African ally Eswatini
Taiwan president heads to last African ally Eswatini
by AFP Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) Sept 5, 2023

President Tsai Ing-wen headed to Eswatini on Tuesday to cement ties with Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa, as China intensifies political pressure on the island.

In a pre-departure speech, Tsai acknowledged support from Eswatini in the face of "many international challenges such as the expansion of authoritarianism" in recent years.

"Eswatini has always stood up to firmly support Taiwan, giving us confidence and strength," she said at the airport.

"Taiwan will not stop its steps going global and will continue to move forward more firmly and confidently to let the world see Taiwan as a steady force for good."

Tsai will attend celebrations marking the African nation's independence day on her second visit to Eswatini since taking office in 2016.

She will also hold a meeting with the king, and visit a local hospital and Taiwan-sponsored projects before returning to Taipei on September 8, according to her office.

Africa's last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is among only 13 countries that officially recognise Taiwan over China, which claims the self-ruled island as its own territory.

It is Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in Africa, after Burkina Faso ditched Taipei in favour of Beijing in 2018.

China has poached nine of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and ramped up military pressure as relations have worsened since Tsai came to power.

In April, it conducted military exercises to simulate the encirclement of the island after Tsai met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.

On the day Tsai's African visit was announced last month, Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 22 Chinese warplanes around the island on a "joint combat patrol" with five warships.

Beijing also staged military drills last month after Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te returned from a visit to Paraguay with two US stopovers, and banned mango imports from the island.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Two Chinese among 4 killed in attack on DRC gold convoy
Bukavu, Dr Congo (AFP) Sept 2, 2023
Two Chinese nationals and two others were killed in an attack on a convoy carrying gold in the Democratic Republic of Congo's lawless east, local authorities said Saturday. Friday's ambush targeted a four-vehicle convoy belonging to TSM Mining which was carrying gold from a site near the Kimbi river in the Fizi region of South Kivu province. The attackers "stole parcels of gold which they took away into the bush," said Sammy Badibanga Kalondji, the top local official in Fizi. The two others ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Invasive species a growing and costly threat, key report to find

Acai berry craze: boon or threat for the Amazon?

Squeezed out: Bulgaria lavender oil makers fear EU laws

'Animals are thirsty': Dust and bones on Turkey's shrinking lake

AFRICA NEWS
Scientists Predict 10 pct Dryland Expansion Globally by 2100

Study: Global wetlands, coral reefs 'hanging by a thread' as sea levels rise

Minnows blamed for algae-filled French, Spanish lakes

Japan boosts fishing sector aid after Fukushima water release

AFRICA NEWS
IMF warns climate shocks may increase conflict deaths

Von der Leyen backs Dutch FM Hoekstra for EU climate post

How climate change boosts hurricanes

Understanting the climate benchmark

AFRICA NEWS
Researchers discover quantum switch for regulating photosynthesis

New insight for stabilizing halide perovskite via thiocyanate substitution

Low cost, high efficiency, multiple colors at the same time!

Lithuanian invention at the forefront of solar technology breakthrough

AFRICA NEWS
Making aviation fuel from biomass

Chevron, partners develop a transportation fuel using animal waste as a feedstock

Illinois research leading to cleaner propane production method

Transforming flies into degradable plastics

AFRICA NEWS
Iran pilgrims among 18 dead in Iraq crash

Go with the flow -- or flee: Burners split over mud tactics

Exodus begins at drenched Burning Man party in US desert

In Florida, residents grapple with Hurricane Idalia's toll

AFRICA NEWS
UAE looks to 'minimise' rights criticism at COP28: report

Rights groups urge US action to free Emirati activist

UK mulls fossil-friendly energy treaty pull-out

Biden administration changes Trump-era rule, will ban liquified natural gas on trains

AFRICA NEWS
Italy says China trade deal not meeting expectations

Nicaragua to export tariff-free to China from 2024

China's Country Garden narrowly avoids default: Bloomberg

Stocks down as traders await more China economic support measures

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.