President Tsai to lead Taiwan delegation to Eswatini

2023/08/29

President Tsai Ing-wen is set to lead a Taiwan delegation to South African ally the Kingdom of Eswatini to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties, according to the Presidential Office Aug. 25.
 
Tsai, set to arrive Sept. 5, anticipates celebrating the two countries’ enduring friendship and further advancing sustainable cooperation during her four-day stay, the PO Spokesperson Olivia Lin said. The president also looks forward to seeing the allies work together in all sectors so that the mutually beneficial relationship enhances the people’s well-being, she added.
 
According to Lin, Eswatini is a steadfast African ally which has long spoken up for the country on global platforms and has staunchly supported its meaningful participation in international organizations. The two countries cooperate closely in the fields of agriculture, education, food security, information and communications technology, infrastructure, public health and medicine, she said, adding that King Mswati III of Eswatini has visited Taiwan 18 times since he ascended to the throne in 1986.
 
Lin said delegation members will include Deputy Secretary-General to the President Xavier Chang, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee, the Cabinet-level Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching and Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai.
 
Following Lin’s remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Lee said the itinerary includes a celebration honoring Eswatini’s 55th year of founding and the King’s 55th birthday; meetings with the King and the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala; witnessing the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements; a state banquet held by the King; a meal with Taiwan expatriates’ representatives; visits to joint healthcare and women’s empowerment projects; and a call on the Outpatient Department and Emergency Complex of Mbabane Government Hospital, where a Taipei Medical University Hospital medical team is practicing.
 
According to Lee, the itinerary is still being finalized. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with the Eswatini government and other relevant ministries to organize the upcoming visit, he said.


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)