Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Tsai Ing-wen met with Thulisile Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini on the morning of January 26. The president stated that in addition to maintaining existing cooperative relations, Taiwan and Eswatini should actively explore new cooperative projects to promote mutual assistance for mutual benefits and strengthen bilateral ties.

President Tsai began by welcoming Minister Dladla and her diplomatic delegation to Taiwan and congratulated Minister Dladla on her appointment as Eswatini's first ever female Foreign Minister. As a female leader, the president said, she appreciates that this is no simple achievement, and believes that with the minister's assistance, Taiwan and Eswatini's partnership will certainly grow closer than ever.

Last year Eswatini marked its 50th year of independence, President Tsai mentioned, as well as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. She said that it was an honor to visit Eswatini at the invitation of King Mswati III, and the visit left her with a deep impression of Eswatini's vibrant culture. During visits around the country, the president also witnessed the results of bilateral cooperation in such areas as health care, education, and economics and trade.

The president stated that although there's a great distance between Taiwan and Africa, distance has done nothing to hinder our friendship with Eswatini. Looking ahead, she said, we want not only to maintain our existing cooperative relations, but to actively explore new cooperative projects.

President Tsai emphasized that such issues as health care, agricultural technology, and electricity supply formed the basis of past cooperation between Taiwan and Eswatini. Moving forward, in addition to technical cooperation, she looks forward to more Taiwanese businesses using Eswatini as an advance base for African operations in the spirit of her oft-cited mutual assistance for mutual benefits.

The president also specially expressed Taiwan's gratitude to Minister Dladla and the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Taiwanese people are very conscious of the support Eswatini has lent Taiwan at the World Health Organization and the United Nations General Assembly. President Tsai then asked that Eswatini will continue to promote our bilateral friendship by offering the same support to Taiwan in the future.

Finally, President Tsai wished Minister Dladla and her delegation a smooth and pleasant visit, and asked the minister to convey her regards to King Mswati III, and the Queen Mother. We would be delighted to welcome them to Taiwan again, the president said.