Swazi Observer

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KING CALLS ON UN TO RECOGNISE TAIWAN

By Bodwa Mbingo | 2018-04-21

His Majesty King Mswati III has made a passionate call to the United Nations (UN) and all its agencies to accept the Republic of China on Taiwan as one of the countries under its wing.

The King, speaking before a visiting Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen during the country’s 50/50 double celebrations at the Mavuso sports centre, stated it felt painful that a country like Taiwan that has already attained a first world status and has a lot to offer to the world was still not being recognised by the UN.

The King feels that the UN is not complete without the inclusion of other countries that can contribute immensely to the greater goal of global development.

Taiwan wants to become a member of the United Nations. However, it lost its seat in that body in 1971, when the UN chose to recognise the People’s Republic of China instead. There can be only one China in the world, the UN decided, and the government in Beijing runs it.

That government regards the island of Taiwan as a breakaway province that must accept reunification with the Chinese motherland and someday hopes to win it back.

“What is hurting is that since Taiwan has made great strides in developing its economy having made the lives of their people better, they are still not accepted as a country under the UN.

We openly call upon the UN to reconsider its stance on the issue and we are one of those countries that are behind the call for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN.

We call for the UN and its agencies to include Taiwan as a country,” pleaded His Majesty.

The King proceeded to state that Taiwan also has a lot to teach Swaziland where it concerns reaching a first world status by 2022.

He said having that stage they know all the hurdles and challenges that go with that push and as a developing country, Eswatini should look up to them.

The King said the Taiwanese have done a great job in the country, especially with their assistance in establishing a Royal Science and Technology Park, constructing the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel (ICCFISH) as well as the Mbabane Government Hospital’s Out-patient Department (OPD). He also recognised their contribution to the country’s health, agriculture and vocational sectors.

“Maswati, despite being a small country, we are proud to say we not only enjoy harmonious relations with countries of the world, at the United Nations, Commonwealth, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community and SACU, but play an impactful role in these organs.

The country has been recognised internationally for its role in women empowerment and we are now amongst the top 10 countries in the world on child protection, among others. We have done well on several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s.

“We applaud the cooperation that has been forged with our bilateral and development partners who have made a tremendous contribution to the achievements we are celebrating today.

A lot of work still lies ahead of us, but it is important to document and use these successes to propel us to greater heights. Our economy needs each and every citizen to put shoulder to the wheel, so as to grind out the much needed impetus towards meeting global obligations,” added the King.

The King’s guest President Tsai Ing-wen left the country yesterday following a four - day state visit to Eswatini – her first to the continent since assuming presidency in Taiwan.

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