President Lee Teng-hui tonight hosted a state banquet at the Office of the President in honor of visiting H.M. King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland and his delegation.
Speaking at the banquet, President Lee hailed the King's visit, especially on the eve of the ROC National Day celebrations, and felt encouraged to receive the well-respected and enlightened young king who is a long-time faithful friend of the Republic of China.
President Lee recalled that he ever paid a visit to the Kingdom of Swaziland in May 1994, during which he was very impressed by the natural beauty of the land, the friendliness of the people and the progress of national construction in Swaziland. He said that he was particularly moved by King Mswati's kind arrangement to fetch him in Johannesburg by making a special detour on the King's way home from Kenya. When visiting the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park, President Lee recalled, he was deeply touched by the motto of His Majesty King Sobhuza II, hung up high in the pavilion, which reads "I have no enemy".
In light of the fact that, on September 26th of this year, King Mswati once again voiced his support in the General Assembly of the United Nations for the ROC's participation in the U.N. and other international organizations, President Lee, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, also expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the King's staunch friendship.
President Lee reiterated that, as a close friend of the Kingdom of Swaziland, the Republic of China shall remain a loyal ally and would like to share with Swaziland the ROC long-term development experience in order to help Swaziland to reach its development goals.
"Though geographically located half a world apart, yet the ROC and Swaziland are close to each other in the sense that both countries are dedicated to peace and justice, and respect cultural traditions as well as family values," noted President Lee. Since the two countries have enjoyed an exceptionally close friendship and have benefited from the fruits of our mutual cooperation since 1968 when establishing diplomatic ties, it is certain that, with the King's visit, the bilateral friendship will grow even stronger, he concluded.
In return, King Mswati III extended his appreciation for the warm reception the ROC government has rendered to himself and his delegation during their stay here, and expressed gratitude for the assistance the ROC government has given to his Kingdom over the years. He also reassured President Lee that Swaziland will continue to support the ROC in the international community, adding that, to further enhance the welfare of both peoples, Swaziland will work together with the ROC to strengthen cooperative relations.