President Tsai receives a rousing welcome in Swaziland
After a 13-hour flight, President Tsai Ing-wen arrived at Swaziland's King Mswati III International Airport at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. Taipei time) on Tuesday, April 17.
After President Tsai's chartered aircraft came to a halt on the tarmac, ROC Ambassador to Swaziland Thomas J.C. Chen (陳經銓) and Chief of Protocol Henry Zeeman of the Swaziland Ministry of Foreign Affairs boarded the plane to welcome her. King Mswati III then welcomed President Tsai at the bottom of the airstair. After shaking hands and exchanging greetings, the two heads of state ascended a dais.
After the two countries' national anthems were played, King Mswati III accompanied President Tsai in a red-carpet review of a military honor guard, and welcomed her with much pomp and ceremony, including a 21-gun salute. After introductions of officials from both sides, the president and the king watched as a troupe of Swazi dancers performed a traditional welcoming dance. President Tsai also waved greetings to Taiwanese expatriates, who gave a warm welcome. The two heads of state then proceeded to the airport's state protocol lounge for a short conversation. Among those present at the conversation were National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), and Ambassador Chen.