President Tsai issues remarks after returning from state visit to Swaziland
President Tsai Ing-wen concluded her state visit to Swaziland and touched down around noon on April 21 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where she delivered remarks. In addition to explaining the trip's achievements, she thanked those working on the front lines of diplomacy—medical missions, technical missions, and overseas teachers—for their efforts to build international friendships, and expressed gratitude to all the government teams for faithfully fulfilling their duties while she was away. She also emphasized that Taiwan has to go out into the world, and work for every inch of international space.
The following is a translation of President Tsai's remarks:
This trip, dedicated to "enduring partnership," has drawn to a close. Before leaving, I told everyone that Taiwan has to go out into the world, because that's the way to work for every inch of international space.
Going out into the world isn't just a testimony to our strong friendships with diplomatic allies. We also go to show appreciation for all the devoted overseas Taiwanese who toil far from home, and people on the front lines of diplomacy, in places where the public can't see them.
On this state visit, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I expressed my deepest gratitude to King Mswati III for his long-term support for Taiwan's international participation. We also witnessed the signing of a joint communique, and I'm confident that our bilateral economic cooperation agreement will bring concrete progress.
In addition, this trip's most important achievement was letting our citizens see how hard our overseas Taiwanese are working.
I was very pleased to sit down with Taiwanese businesspeople in Africa to discuss opportunities and challenges of establishing a global presence.
I also thanked all people on the front lines of diplomacy who work so hard including the medical and technical mission personnel, and our overseas educators. Their efforts have built friendships, and those friendships are the most important foundation of Taiwan's engagement with the international community.
And when our overseas colleagues briefed me on their achievements and challenges, they had that look of confidence in their eyes. I'll always remember that.
I've also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health and Welfare to look into the needs and status of our overseas technical and medical mission personnel. Their passionate dedication should receive more government encouragement and support.
At the same time, I've already instructed the National Security Council to propose an "Africa Project" as soon as possible to integrate Taiwan's ministries, overseas representative offices, technical teams, and businesses with respective foreign governments to establish a stronger presence in Africa.
Finally, I want to thank all the government personnel, and especially our brothers and sisters in uniform, for faithfully doing their duty and keeping the government running as usual while I was away. Thanks for your efforts.
Among those at the airport to greet President Tsai were Acting Secretary-General to the President Liu Chien-sin (劉建忻), Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-Tsan (鄭文燦), National Security Bureau Director-General Peng Sheng-Chu (彭勝竹), National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Chen Chun-lin (陳俊麟), Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Maria Liu (劉德立), Overseas Community Affairs Council Vice Minister Roy Yuan-Rong Leu (呂元榮), St. Christopher and Nevis Ambassador to the ROC (and treasurer of the foreign diplomatic corps in the ROC) Jasmine Huggins, and Swaziland Chargé d'Affaires to the ROC Lindiwe Kunene.