President Tsai to visit diplomatic ally Swaziland in April

2018/03/31

President Tsai Ing-wen will visit Swaziland April 17-21 at the invitation of the landlocked southern African nation’s head of state King Mswati III.
 
 During a news conference at the Office of the President March 29 in Taipei City, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu said this is the ideal time for Tsai to make her first trip to the continent as president. 2018 marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Swaziland, the 50th birthday of the king and the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, he added.
 
 The visit reflects the commonalities of Taiwan and Swaziland, as well as the nature of the longstanding friendship, Wu said. It also underscores the strength of bilateral ties and the importance of the king’s enthusiastic support for Taiwan, he added.
 
 Objectives of the trip include enhancing mutual understanding, expanding exchanges and making further progress on developing and implementing joint initiatives spanning agriculture, education, information and communication technology, and medical care, according to Wu.
 
 During her four-days and three-nights in country, Tsai and the accompanying delegation of senior government officials, lawmakers, private sector leaders and members of the media will attend various celebrations, inspect cooperation projects and meet with Taiwan business representatives and expatriates based in southern Africa. The group is traveling on a chartered flight with no stopovers.
 
 Wu said it is expected the visit will pave the way for the two nations to further cement a rock-solid relationship and take collaboration in areas of mutual interest to new heights.
 
 Taiwan and Swaziland established diplomatic ties in September 1968 following the latter’s granting of independence by the U.K. The country consistently supports Taiwan’s bid for participation in U.N. agencies like the International Civil Aviation Organization and World Health Organization, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=131902)