President Tsai departs for Eswatini to celebrate 55 years of bilateral ties

2023/09/06

President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 5 that her visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini will help deepen the enduring partnership and promote sustainable bilateral cooperation to the benefit of both countries.
 
The president made the remarks during a news conference at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport before embarking on a four-day state visit to the landlocked African ally. This is her 9th overseas visit since taking office in 2016.
 
Eswatini is a steadfast ally that has long spoken up for Taiwan in global venues and staunchly supported Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, Tsai said. This close and friendly relationship is underscored by the 18 visits by King Mswati III since he ascended to the throne in 1986, the president added.
 
Since her first trip to Eswatini in 2018, relations between the two allies have grown even stronger, Tsai said. Despite the impact of COVID-19, cooperation has gone from strength to strength in agriculture, public health and women’s empowerment, among other areas, she added.
 
The government will continue to work with Eswatini in addressing post-pandemic challenges to advance the development of both countries, Tsai said.
 
Tsai said this visit is of particular significance as this year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides and the African country’s 55th year since its founding. She will extend her warmest congratulations to the king on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan.
 
According to the Presidential Office, the president will take part in celebrations for the country’s founding and the king’s 55th birthday, meet with the king and Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala and witness the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.
 
The president’s itinerary also includes a social function with representatives of Taiwan expatriates, visits to joint health care and women’s empowerment projects and a call at the Outpatient Department and Emergency Complex of Mbabane Government Hospital, where a team from Taipei Medical University Hospital is practicing.


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