TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's presidential office confirmed on Friday (Aug. 25) that President Tsai Ing-wen will visit the nation's last African ally, Eswatini, from Sept. 5 to 8.
Some speculated the move to be an attempt to rival Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to South Africa for the 15th BRICS summit.
However, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Roy Lee countered this, claiming it's merely a coincidence in timing.
Furthermore, Presidential Office Spokesperson Lin Yu-chan indicated Tsai's visit coincides with the 55th anniversary of Eswatini's independence, the establishment of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and the Eswatini king's 55th birthday.
Lin contends that Tsai will use this opportunity to showcase the importance of alliance partners and reinforce bilateral relationships.
The 15th BRICS summit took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Aug. 22 to 24., 2023, marking Xi's first trip to Africa in five years. In July 2018, Xi visited four nations in Africa.
This year, Tsai's visit to Africa comes less than a month after Xi's.
MOFA reiterated that the timing of Tsai's visit is aligned with Eswatini's national day celebrations, which is unrelated to Xi's visit.