Why does Eswatini recognize Taiwan instead of China?

Eswatini has maintained diplomatic ties with Taiwan for decades, resisting Beijing's offers despite losing tariff-free access to Chinese markets—a significant economic cost for the small kingdom.

How many countries still recognize Taiwan?

Twelve countries maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, mostly small island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean, plus three in Latin America and Eswatini in Africa.

What is China's 'One China' policy?

Beijing insists there is only one China, with Taiwan as part of its territory. Countries must choose to recognize either the People's Republic of China or Taiwan, but not both.

Why does the U.S. care about Taiwan's diplomatic isolation?

Washington views Taiwan's shrinking recognition as part of Beijing's broader pressure campaign that could precede military action against the self-governed island, a key U.S. security partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan's Lai Reaches Eswatini After Overflight Delays

MBABANE, Eswatini — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini this week following unexpected delays caused by difficulties securing overflight clearance, a trip that highlights the mounting diplomatic and economic pressure Beijing exerts on nations maintaining ties with Taipei.

The visit to the landlocked southern African kingdom—Taiwan's sole remaining diplomatic partner on the continent—was postponed after neighboring countries denied permission for the presidential aircraft to cross their airspace, according to multiple reports. The setback underscores how China's expanding influence in Africa complicates even routine travel for Taiwanese officials.

Beijing's Economic Leverage

Eswatini remains the only African nation without tariff-free access to China's market, a direct consequence of its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. While Beijing has offered most African countries preferential trade terms to deepen economic ties, Eswatini faces exclusion from those benefits as long as it maintains formal relations with Taipei instead of recognizing the People's Republic of China.

The kingdom's isolation illustrates the stark choice Beijing presents to smaller nations: access to the world's second-largest economy or continued ties with Taiwan. Over the past decade, China has successfully persuaded several African states—including Burkina Faso, São Tomé and Príncipe, and The Gambia—to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, often accompanied by promises of infrastructure investment and trade deals.

Shrinking Diplomatic Circle

Taiwan now maintains formal diplomatic relations with just 12 countries worldwide, down from more than 20 two decades ago. Most are small island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean, plus three in Latin America. Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, has resisted Beijing's overtures for years, though analysts note the economic cost of that stance continues to rise.

President Lai's administration has sought to shore up remaining partnerships through development aid, technical cooperation, and high-level visits. Yet the overflight incident demonstrates how China's regional clout can complicate even symbolic gestures of solidarity. Neighboring South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe all maintain strong ties with Beijing and control the airspace surrounding Eswatini.

Cross-Strait Tensions

The visit comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced the use of force to achieve unification, views any international recognition of Taipei as a challenge to its sovereignty. Chinese officials have repeatedly warned countries against hosting Taiwanese leaders or maintaining official ties with the island.

For Washington, Taiwan's diplomatic isolation carries strategic implications. The United States does not formally recognize Taiwan but maintains robust unofficial relations and is the island's primary arms supplier. American policymakers have expressed concern that Beijing's campaign to erase Taiwan's international presence could embolden more aggressive moves against the self-governed democracy of 23 million people.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

President Lai completed his arrival in Eswatini after overflight delays, and the kingdom remains Taiwan's only African diplomatic partner despite economic costs including exclusion from China's tariff-free market access. What remains unclear is whether Eswatini will sustain its recognition of Taiwan as Beijing's economic incentives grow, and whether other remaining partners will face similar pressure in the coming years. The specific countries that denied overflight clearance have not been publicly confirmed.