Eswatini, previously known as Swaziland, is the sole African nation that still has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province. Despite this, Eswatini continues to be a significant trade partner with China, necessitating careful diplomacy as it seeks new economic opportunities in other Asian countries.
Eswatini’s recent initiatives to strengthen relationships with South Korea, Singapore, and Bhutan might be seen as distancing itself from China, its largest trading partner in Asia. In 2022, the kingdom imported goods worth over $109 million from China.
However, government spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo called such conclusions presumptive. He emphasized that diplomacy is a dynamic process guided by national interests, and Eswatini’s current efforts to develop relations with other Asian nations are based on a strategic evaluation of what benefits the kingdom.
“We are establishing diplomatic relations with many countries,” Nxumalo stated. “Geopolitics is not confined to one location. It is influenced and controlled from various parts of the world. As the Kingdom of Eswatini, we aim to make our presence known and felt wherever geopolitical activities occur—whether in economic trade, diplomacy, or political processes, we want to be involved.
“So, according to our core foreign policy, Eswatini is an enemy to none but a friend to all.”
Maintaining friendly relations with everyone has enabled Eswatini to uphold diplomatic ties with both China and Taiwan, despite Beijing’s attempts to convince Eswatini to sever its relationship with the self-governing island.
China has issued threats against Eswatini but has not acted on them.
Nearly 60% of Eswatini’s population lives in poverty, and its economy suffered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by protests that caused significant damage to many businesses.
Mavela Sigwane, head of transformation at the Federation of Eswatini Business Community, noted that the outreach to South Korea, Singapore, and Bhutan goes beyond mere diplomacy and promises substantial economic benefits.
“We are thrilled about the recent Korea agreement,” Sigwane stated. “It will create numerous opportunities for local businesses to access the Korean market.”
The agreement in question involves South Korea’s pledge to invest over $20 billion in development and investment initiatives across Africa.
King Mswati has praised South Korea for its commitment and encouraged South Korean businesses to consider investing in Eswatini.
Political analyst Sibusiso Nhlabatsi observed that Eswatini’s recent efforts to establish economic relationships with new Asian partners highlight the kingdom’s willingness to seek new alliances beyond its traditional Western connections.
“Eswatini aims to enhance its versatility and align itself with multiple actors in the Asian region,” Nhlabatsi remarked. “This strategy reflects the kingdom’s ability to navigate between China and Taiwan, and its new partnerships show that even a small country can maintain an independent foreign policy without solely catering to the interests of larger powers.”
Analysts believe that the expanded trade, new investment prospects, and shared technology from these new alliances could help diversify Eswatini’s economy and lessen its reliance on any single market.