President William Lai Ching-te of Taiwan concluded a visit to Eswatini on Friday, where he met with King Mswati III and signed several trade agreements. The trip proceeded despite strong objections from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has sought to isolate the island diplomatically.
During the visit, Lai emphasized the importance of Taiwan-Eswatini relations, calling the kingdom a "true friend" and a key partner in Africa. The two sides inked deals covering agricultural cooperation, technology exchange, and cultural ties.
Eswatini is one of only a few countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, as most nations adhere to the One-China policy. China had previously warned against the visit, labeling it a violation of its sovereignty.