King Arrives Safely In Taiwan

Eswatini Daily News
By: King’s Office Correspondents

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – His Majesty King Mswati III arrived safely in the Republic of China (Taiwan) yesterday and was warmly welcomed by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Joseph Wu at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The King is accompanied by Inkhosikati Make LaMashwana on his five-day state visit. He last visited the country in June 2018.

His Majesty the King, in his brief remarks upon touching down in Taipei, expressed his delight at visiting the country after many years due to COVID-19, which created a difficult environment for anyone to travel across the world. The King said he was happy that at least now COVID-19 has subsided and that he could take the trip and promised that the Kingdom of Eswatini will continue to hold strong relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan.

He said the relationship between the two countries dates back to some 54 years ago and next year will be a triple celebration, as he will be celebrating his 55th birthday, 55 years of independence, and 55 years of healthy Eswatini/Republic of China (Taiwan) relations. Eswatini remains the only African country to hold diplomatic ties with Taiwan and is instrumental in calling for that country’s recognition within the United Nations structures like the World Health Organisation, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. His Majesty the King will, today, be welcomed by President Tsai-Ing-wen with a military salute and host a state banquet.

The King, in his busy schedule here, is also expected to meet with both the Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Wu, and the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mei-Hua Wang. The programme prepared for His Majesty the King and his delegation also includes a seminar on investment and business opportunities. Other activities scheduled are a visit to the Taoyuan refinery of state-run oil company CPC Corp, Taiwan, and a meeting with Emaswati students in Taiwan.

The King is also accompanied by four cabinet ministers; Information Communication Technology Minister Princess Sikhanyiso, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thulisile Dladla, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo.
Before landing in Taiwan, the King had a three-day visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where he witnessed the signing of a historic agreement between the government and the Emirates Management Investment Gate Holding, which is looking forward to investing in the Kingdom of Eswatini in various economic fields, including mining, ICT, construction and tourism, to name but a few.