President Tsai attends 50/50 double celebrations in Swaziland
President Tsai Ing-wen, currently on a state visit codenamed "Taiwan and Swaziland: Enduring Partners," attended a celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Swaziland's founding and the 50th birthday of His Majesty King Mswati III at the Mavuso Sports Centre on the morning of Thursday, April 19 local time (the evening of April 19 Taipei time).
The following is a transcript of President Tsai's remarks:
Your Majesty King Mswati III,
Your Majesty the Queen Mother,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Excellencies,
Friends and distinguished guests,
The people of Swaziland:
Greetings! Sanibonani!
I am honored to attend this event in celebration of His Majesty the King's 50th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Swaziland's founding. It's truly a special occasion. I want to thank His Majesty for his invitation, friendship, and hospitality. I also want to congratulate the people of Swaziland for all that you have accomplished over the past 50 years. Congratulations!
In 1968, on the brink of independence and the rebirth of a nation, a friendship was formed. His Majesty's father, the late King Sobhuza II, declared that Swaziland would look east, to a country like his own, bordered by powerful neighbors. He observed a people similar to his own, industrious and hard-working. He saw a country that would be a willing, faithful, and dedicated partner to a young nation. He declared this country, the Republic of China (Taiwan), an inseparable friend of his and of Swaziland.
Fifty years have passed since that fateful decision. During this time, we have witnessed the rise and fall of great powers. We have stood together in the course of trials and tribulations around the world. Throughout it all, our two countries have never wavered in the promise of friendship and partnership. We have not allowed this relationship to be dictated by the whims and fancies of the present. We have always done what is right, sustainable, and best for our two peoples.
This is a friendship that has stood the test of time.
In the immortal words of the late King: Anginasitsa (I have no enemies). In Swaziland, we have no enemies.
Swaziland is a country blessed by vast natural resources. It's a country with a rich cultural heritage, and a capable and resourceful people. Under the leadership of His Majesty the King, I have no doubt Swaziland will continue to be a symbol of growth and prosperity in Africa. Throughout my visit, I have already seen the promises of all that the future holds: from new highways and hospitals to growing opportunities in tourism and ICT industries.
Taiwan is committed to supporting Swaziland's future. We are fully dedicated to assisting His Majesty's National Development Strategy Vision 2022. I want the people of Swaziland to know that Taiwan will work in any way we can – through education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture – to help fulfill His Majesty's pledge to improve standards of living for all people in Swaziland. We do so because we believe when Swaziland does well, Taiwan does well.
In our own language, a good description for Taiwan-Swaziland relations is: "換帖的 (uann-thiap-e in Taiwanese)." It refers to a lifelong commitment as brothers and sisters to always support each other.
We know that at the heart of any relationship, particularly one as vibrant as this one, is people. This is why, together with His Majesty, we have always focused on building enduring partnerships between people, institutions, and organizations.
I experienced this first-hand when I shook the hands of young Swazi doctors, educated in Taiwan medical schools, yesterday at Mbabane Government Hospital. Our agricultural experts at the Taiwan Technical Mission near Matsapha are proudly working on their new agricultural produce. I met young Taiwanese teachers at the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT), whom I know are educating the best and brightest of Swaziland's next generation.
All of this underpins the Taiwan-Swaziland relationship.
In the course of my visit, with the support of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother, I have announced two new initiatives that will further bring our two countries closer together.
We inaugurated a new program to provide full scholarships to underprivileged young people. Human potential is key to Swaziland's future. These scholarships will be for SCOT, an institution where Taiwanese and Swazi teachers already work side-by-side. We will enable more students to study STEM, which are fields in critical demand in today's economy. We will also encourage more Taiwanese educators to teach here in order to further contribute to Swaziland's next generation.
During my meeting with the Queen Mother, I also pledged to work together with the Philani Maswati Charity to provide more opportunities for women. This initiative, the Greenhouse Project, will offer 18-month training programs in agricultural cultivation and management. It will empower hundreds of women in rural communities and encourage them to further share their know-how in less developed areas across the country.
These initiatives reflect our firm belief in the promise of Swaziland's bright future. And our dedication to working together to achieve that future has never been stronger.
On this momentous occasion, I want to thank His Majesty for everything he has done for our bilateral relationship. Under his leadership, we know Taiwan has no better and more outspoken friend on the international stage. At a time when many international organizations have chosen to exclude the people of Taiwan, we know we can always count on Swaziland's unwavering support. In UN assembly halls where our voice is never heard, we can always count on His Majesty's steady words in favor of Taiwan's participation.
This support means a lot to us. I want to say: Thank you. Ngiyabonga Kakhulu.
Finally, I want to conclude by saying this: Taiwan and Swaziland are partners in every sense of the word. Through the extraordinary foresight of the late King Sobhuza II to the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, this relationship has only grown stronger. Day by day. Year by year.
It is fitting that on the 50th birthday of the King and the 50th anniversary of your country, we also celebrate the 50th years of our relationship.
I want to offer His Majesty my best wishes on his birthday and my most sincere congratulations to the people of Swaziland.
Siyabonga (thank you)! Thank you!
Also attending the event were National Security Council Secretary-General David T. Lee (李大維), Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), and ROC Ambassador to Swaziland Thomas J.C. Chen (陳經銓).