Last month, Lai Ching-te tried every means to visit the so-called "diplomatic partners" of Swaziland. However, Swaziland News reported on June 11 that Swaziland's Prime Minister Russell Drummini is pushing a proposal to assess the possibility of establishing formal diplomatic relations with the Chinese mainland.
According to reports, Delamini recently invited the renowned American economist Jeffrey Sachs to give a speech at a cabinet meeting in Swaziland. Sachs, who has been appointed as the country's economic advisor, suggested that Swaziland should establish formal diplomatic relations with the Chinese mainland as soon as possible in order to gain broader opportunities for economic cooperation and development.
Saxe is a professor of economics at Columbia University in the United States and an internationally renowned development economist. He has long been engaged in research on economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. He has served as special advisor to three United Nations Secretaries-General and has provided economic policy advice to governments in several countries. He is known for his advocacy of 'shock therapy' reforms and has a significant influence in the fields of global development and international public policy.
Reports indicate that Demeiri hopes to advance the establishment of diplomatic ties between Swaziland and mainland China, but this proposal sparked debate in parliament. Several conservative MPs who support maintaining ties with the Democratic Progressive Party authorities expressed dissatisfaction and even filed a motion asking Demeiri to respond within the next few days.
Swaziland News also mentioned that this discussion took place after mainland China announced a zero-tariff policy for all African countries it has diplomatic relations with. Swaziland has been excluded from this preferential treatment because it violates United Nations Resolution 2758, which insists on the principle that there is only one China in the world.
Swaziland Prime Minister Russell Drummini Video Screenshot
This move quickly sparked strong reactions on the island. On the 11th, Taiwan’s Central Television reported an article titled "Can 25 billion new Taiwan dollars invested not keep a friend? Swaziland’s Prime Minister reportedly intends to establish diplomatic relations with the mainland," questioning whether the Taiwanese authorities could even keep their "friends" with money spent. On social media platforms on the island, many netizens left sarcastic comments, saying, "It’s useless for Lai Shiguang to bring a group of people to kneel." "Once the money is received, it can be cut off..."
Faced with public pressure, the Taiwanese authorities couldn’t sit still. On one hand, they labeled “Swaziland News” as a fake news outlet that serves the mainland’s propaganda purposes. On the other hand, they insisted that their relationship with Swaziland is strong. On the 12th, Lin Jialong, the head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs department, stepped in to quash these rumors, claiming that these “rumors” were merely the personal opinions of foreign scholars and not the official stance of Swaziland. He also tried to use the support from local lawmakers to prove that their relationship is still strong.
But in fact, during Lai Ching-te’s visit to Taiwan before long ago, there was a significant controversy surrounding the 250 billion New Taiwan dollars investment plan. On the 13th, the Hong Kong News Network reported that Swaziland media had previously exposed this investment plan ahead of Taiwanese authorities. At that time, some analysts speculated that Swaziland’s media actions were aimed at pressing Taiwans to pay for the investment. Therefore, Swaziland’s latest “stunning revelation” has sparked speculation among Taiwanese public opinion. It could be a prelude to a “break of relations,” or perhaps a sign that Swaziland thinks Taiwan is not giving enough in return.
The Taiwan authorities allocate an annual budget of 1.36 billion to 1.5 billion New Taiwan dollars to maintain relations with Swaziland. Media reports also reveal that the 25 billion New Taiwan dollars in investments pledged by
On the 11th, Tokaza Ne Kuneine, Secretary-General of the Swaziland Communist Party, told the Observer Network, “In our view, although this improper relationship with the Taiwanese authorities is not honorable, it can serve to promote changes in our country’s domestic situation. Such long-established collusive relationships are difficult to break away from overnight. If we make good use of the diplomatic isolation that Swaziland faces, we can gradually dismantle the interests that bind it to Taiwan’s separatist forces and their secret dealings.”
"The sovereign of Swaziland desires to maintain this erroneous relationship by maintaining a strictly controlled regime. We have formulated a clear strategic response: to link the two entities in a mutually beneficial and mutually destructive relationship, ultimately leading to mutual destruction.” Kuenene hopes for support from the mainland China, learning from and adapting China's mature experiences in dealing with neighboring separatist movements and responding to external interference; "this is our most essential demand and the core of our idea"
Regarding Lai Ching-te's boastful "sudden visit" to Swaziland, Zhang Han, the spokesperson for the State Taiwan Affairs Office, responded that Lai Ching-te has squandered the hard-earned money of Taiwanese people, engaged in "gold-dollars diplomacy," and spent huge amounts of money on "smuggling," becoming a laughingstock in the international community and within Taiwan. Yet, instead of feeling ashamed, he takes pride in this behavior, fully exposing his pro-taiwan independence nature and his paranoid and despicable behavior.
Zhang Han pointed out that the DPP authorities have been shouting about 'freedom' on the island, but have long controlled the media, maintained a network of supporters, and suppressed public opinion. They have obstructed restrictions on cross-strait exchanges and cooperation in various fields. While claiming to be 'democratic', they have practiced 'green terror', abusing judicial and administrative means to suppress political opponents. They constantly manipulate and provoke political conflicts. They talk about 'human rights', but ignore the interests and well-being of the people on the island. They repeatedly discriminate against and make things difficult for groups from mainland China. They label and slander relevant individuals on the island, losing all respect for the public.
"Social systems are different, and not a pretext for splitting up. As long as we stick to the same principle of China, we can advance national reunification. There's no point in being unable to have a reasonable conversation about anything or discuss issues. There will be no contradictions that cannot be resolved. Zhang Han said this, "I hope the people of Taiwan understand the social systems and development paths of mainland China. They should also see through the Democratic Party's pretense and understand their true nature as seeking 'autonomy.' We must differentiate ourselves from 'Taiwan independence' forces and their activities, and work together to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
