The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a sharp critique of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, accusing them of engaging in "dollar diplomacy" that places a heavy financial burden on the residents of the Taiwan region.
Speaking on Wednesday, spokesperson Mao Ning addressed media reports indicating that the Taiwan authorities provided Eswatini with approximately NT$25 billion in funding. These financial arrangements allegedly occurred surrounding a trip to the African nation by the leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te.
Mao characterized these actions as a manifestation of the Lai authorities' efforts to advance a "Taiwan independence" agenda. According to the spokesperson, this approach—which she described as a combination of corruption, bribery, and abuse of power—has cost the people in the Taiwan region dearly. She noted that the expenditure is equivalent to collecting more than NT$1,000 from every resident of Taiwan.
Furthermore, the spokesperson argued that maintaining Eswatini as a "diplomatic ally" does not serve the public interest but rather benefits a select few. Mao dismissed the diplomatic efforts as "political theatrics steeped in greed and graft."
Concluding her remarks, Mao emphasized that the one-China principle remains the prevailing international consensus and a fundamental norm governing international relations. With Eswatini remaining the only country left in Africa with so-called "diplomatic ties" to Taiwan, the spokesperson warned that anyone betting on "Taiwan independence" has no future and will only face international isolation and lost opportunities for development.
Reference(s):
Taiwan's DPP authorities slammed for seeking 'dollar diplomacy'
cgtn.com
