Vice President Vincent C. Siew and his wife Susan Chu at 9:40 a.m. on September 7 (3:40 p.m. September 6 Taipei time) led a delegation from Taiwan to Somhlolo Stadium in the Kingdom of Swaziland to attend celebrations marking that nation's 40th anniversary of independence and the 40th birthday of His Majesty King Mswati III.
The arrival of the vice president's motorcade was announced by the master of ceremonies. The first to arrive for the celebration, Vice President Siew received rousing applause and a warm welcome from the audience. Walking up the stairs into the viewing stands, Vice President Siew waved to the members of the media accompanying him on his overseas visit who were seated in the section for journalists. Moments later, heads of state and other special envoys also began arriving. Vice President Siew shook hands and exchanged greetings with persons from other delegations also in Swaziland to attend the proceedings. Vice President Siew was seated between the representative from South Africa and the president of Botswana, and he engaged in cordial chats with both of them.
Heads of state or special envoys from Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Uganda, and Rwanda attended the independence day celebrations. In addition, the king of Lesotho and a special emissary from South Africa were also in attendance. The lively celebration and ceremonies emphasized the traditions and flavor of Swaziland.
In the afternoon, Vice President Siew, back at his hotel, was interviewed by journalists from America's The Washington Times, England's The Daily Telegraph and Swaziland media sources. The vice president discussed issues and exchanged opinions on topics such as cooperative relations and the alliance between the ROC and Swaziland, the prospects for relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and the ROC's participation in international organizations.
In the evening, Vice President Siew met with Taiwan businessmen and overseas compatriots residing in southern Africa at a seminar and then hosted a dinner for them. The vice president thanked everyone for their efforts and kindly asked them to make what contribution they can to aiding the interests of the ROC. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H. L. Ou, Minister of Health Lin Fang-yue, Minister of Agriculture Chen Wu-hsiung, Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission Deputy Minister Jen Hong, and ROC Ambassador to Swaziland Leonard Chao also attended these proceedings.
Vice President Siew made brief remarks prior to the beginning of the seminar. He said that the hard work and contributions made by Taiwan businessmen residing overseas are clear for all to see. He said that he has paid close attention to the actions and needs of Taiwan businessmen ever since he first started working in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The vice president said that each businessman from Taiwan is an ambassador of a kind, working in the interests of Taiwan on a daily basis. This is something that is quite admirable, he said. The vice president also invited those attending the seminar to feel free to express their opinions and suggestions, which he said will serve as reference for the government when it maps out future policy.
Vice President Siew told those attending the seminar that he met with His Majesty King Mswati III on the previous day and that he attended celebrations marking Swaziland's independence day that morning. When chatting with heads of state and special envoys sitting near him, he said he stressed the importance of the investment provided by Taiwanese businessmen in the region. The vice president said that high-ranking officials from Malawi, Lesotho and South Africa all agreed with his assessment and expressed their appreciation for the assistance made by Taiwan businessmen in the economic development of their respective nations and for generating employment opportunities.
Persons attending the seminar also asked the vice president his views on the government's initiative with regards to a diplomatic truce with Mainland China. Vice President Siew said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission are working on preparing briefings on this topic to further explain the new policy. The vice president said that a diplomatic truce does not constitute a diplomatic holiday or a diplomatic surrender. Rather, the initiative has been floated with the hope that it will put an end to the vicious competition between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait on the diplomatic front that for years has seen each side attempt to pursue diplomatic allies of the other and has resulted in the use of substantial resources to achieve such. A diplomatic truce calls for each side to refrain from action that would harm the interests of the other and hurt the feelings of the people on either side. Rather, both sides would seek to address and resolve problems through peaceful dialogue, he said.
Vice President Siew asked officials from related agencies to address other topics brought up by persons attending the seminar. He said that it is vital to provide more care and services to overseas compatriots who are working so hard overseas. He called for everyone to work together in the interest of the nation and to help create strong prospects for Taiwan.