China Blames Eswatini for Being 'Kept and Fed' by Taiwan After Lai Visit

Context Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te made an unannounced stop in Eswatini, a landlocked kingdom in southern Africa, on a trip that surprised Beijing. The visit highlighted the fragile network of nations that still recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. China, which claims Taiwan as a province, routinely pressures countries to sever those ties.

Key Facts - Eswatini is one of only 12 countries worldwide that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. - After Lai’s return, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian declared Taiwan’s diplomatic outreach a "farce" and warned that Taiwan would never achieve international success. - Lin added that Eswatini’s leaders are "kept and fed" by Taiwan, echoing Beijing’s long‑standing accusation that Taiwan uses financial incentives—often termed "dollar diplomacy"—to retain allies. - Eswatini’s government defended its sovereign right to choose partners and rejected what it called external bullying.

What It Means The exchange underscores a broader contest for influence in the Global South. China’s strategy involves leveraging economic clout to isolate Taiwan, while Taiwan seeks to preserve its remaining diplomatic footholds through targeted aid and high‑profile visits. For Eswatini, the fallout could affect trade, investment, and development assistance from both Beijing and Taipei. Beijing may increase pressure, such as cutting aid or limiting market access, to force a diplomatic switch. Conversely, Taiwan may boost its support to demonstrate the value of its partnership.

The episode also signals to other small states that aligning with Taiwan carries diplomatic risks. As China expands its Belt and Road infrastructure projects across Africa, nations weighing the benefits of Taiwanese visits must consider potential retaliation from the world’s second‑largest economy.

Looking ahead, watch for any official shift in Eswatini’s diplomatic stance, and monitor whether China escalates economic measures to compel a break with Taiwan.