Eswatini, the tiny African kingdom that challenges China

Taiwan tries again: after the Chinese pressure they had forced the President Lai Ching-te to postpone the visita a Eswatini, Taipei he announced his on Saturday I arrive In the small African kingdoml’unique on the continent a challenge Beijing.

The Lai’s visit was initially planned by 22 to 26 Aprilbut it was cancelled after several African countries they have overflight permits revoked following intense economic pressures from the side Chineseas explained at the time by one of the closest advisors of the President.

An African ally of Taipei

Eswatini it’s a small country without outlet to the sea nell’Southern Africa e sole diplomatic ally Of Taipei in Africa. Set Between South Africa e Mozambiquestarted a ambitious transformation project which aims to make the country a international financial hub on the model of Swiss. The turning point comes through the creation of a Free Economic Zone completely digitalmade in partnership with the European banking group iSwiss Bank.

History and political system

Although it is one of the Less extensive states of the continentoccupies one diplomatic position notable. Former Swazilandthe country took over the current name In the 2018 by decision of re Mswati IIIal candies dal 1986. It’s one absolute monarchywith approx 1.2 million inhabitants, English-speaking e neighboring almost entirely with the South Africa.

Regional dependency

His geopolitical location is defined first and foremost by economic and logistical dependence dal South Africa: Eswatini it is part ofeconomic area of ​​southern Africa and his economy is strongly affected by regional trade relationsfrom the South African infrastructure and of theaccess to nearby markets.

The China – Taiwan node

His small size However, it does not prevent him from having a symbolic weight superior to his economic strength. The fact that it is theonly African country to maintain official reports con Taiwan makes one sensitive plug in the competition Between Beijing e Taipei. In the past days il him he came backactuality after the mission of the Taiwanese Foreign Minister a Eswatinifollowed by cancellation of the voyage of the President Lai Ching-te. Per Beijing, Eswatini represents thelatest African anomaly In the principle from the Unique China.