Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Ma Ying-jeou met on the morning of May 21 with a delegation from the Kingdom of Swaziland led by Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini and Mrs. Dlamini. The president warmly welcomed the visitors to Taiwan and called for continued strengthening of bilateral ties and cooperation.

In remarks, President Ma stated that two years ago he led a delegation from the ROC to Swaziland and during that visit Prime Minister Dlamini specially escorted him. He said that he and Prime Minister Dlamini exchanged opinions on a range of topics at that time. Then in May of that year, Prime Minister Dlamini came to Taiwan to attend his inauguration to a new term. This highlights the close and friendly relations between the two countries, he commented.

President Ma noted that diplomatic ties between the ROC and Swaziland date back 46 years, and that His Majesty King Mswati III celebrated his 46th birthday in April of this year. ROC Minister of Defense Yen Ming (嚴明) served as his special envoy in attending the celebrations in Swaziland held to mark the occasion, he mentioned. Minister Yen received a warm reception from the Swaziland government, for which, the president said, he was grateful.

President Ma stated that many successes have been achieved in bilateral cooperation projects in the fields of agricultural technology, vocational training, as well as health care and medicine. The president specifically pointed to the formal inauguration of King Mswati III International Airport on March 7 of this year, and the completion of the first phase of construction of the Royal Bio-technology Park last month. President Ma said he is extremely pleased with these developments.

The president commented that a number of companies from Taiwan have set up textile factories in Swaziland. He pointed out that he and King Mswati III arranged to go for a morning jog during his visit to Swaziland. One Taiwan factory, upon learning of the planned run, quickly took action to make athletic shirts featuring the flags of the two countries. The president said both of the leaders wore the shirts during their run, and he was deeply touched by the events.

President Ma also thanked Swaziland for its longstanding support for participation of the ROC in international organizations and activities, and he particularly pointed out that King Mswati III regularly speaks on behalf of Taiwan at important international venues. The president not only asked Prime Minister Dlamini to pass along his best wishes to King Mswati III upon his return to Swaziland, but also expressed hope for continued cooperation between the two sides to enhance the wellbeing of the public in each nation.

Also in the delegation was Swaziland Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jabulani C. Mabuza.