Lai's 'money diplomacy' in Eswatini slammed as corrupt political show

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned the authorities led by Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te on Wednesday for squandering public funds in a "money diplomacy" campaign in Eswatini, labeling it a corrupt political show that serves only a handful of vested interests.

Mao made the remarks in response to media reports that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities invested approximately NT$25 billion ($795 million) in Eswatini around his recent visit.

The reports indicated that project revenues were promised to the king and royal family of Eswatini, with Taiwan's so-called representatives also set to benefit.

The reports prove once again that the Lai authorities, in pursuit of "Taiwan independence", engage in corruption and quid-pro-quo deals through "money diplomacy", Mao said.

She contrasted this move with China's zero-tariff policy for all African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China.

Mao said that Eswatini's binding with the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces leads nowhere and will only cause the African country to miss out on development opportunities and become isolated from the international community.