By Ncaba Ntshakala
Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla is currently leading a delegation of officials from her office on a state visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Upon arrival, she was received by Eswatini’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Promise Msibi, alongside his wife, Futhi Msibi, and Taiwan’s Deputy Minister, Ambassador François Chihchung.
On Monday, Dladla attended a welcome dinner hosted by Alex Yeung, Group Strategy Officer of Tex Ray Industrial Co. Ltd, alongside Ambassador Msibi and his wife, as well as Chief of Protocol Hsin-hsin Chen.
The visit follows other high-level trips of Eswatini delegation to Taiwan including that of His Majesty King Mswati III. Dladla is expected to return home on Saturday.
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Eswatini and Taiwan share a long-standing diplomatic relationship rooted in mutual cooperation and development.
As the only African nation maintaining official ties with Taiwan, Eswatini has benefited from various bilateral agreements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.
Taiwan has provided scholarships for Eswatini students, supported agricultural initiatives, and contributed to the kingdom’s healthcare sector, including assistance in combating diseases such as Covid-19.
The relationship is further strengthened by frequent high-level engagements between leaders from both nations, reaffirming their commitment to shared growth and strategic collaboration.
In recent months, several high-profile Eswatini officials have visited Taiwan, underscoring the strong ties between the two countries.
In October 2023, King Mswati III led a delegation to Taipei, where he met with President Tsai Ing-wen and emphasized Eswatini’s continued support for Taiwan’s sovereignty.
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The visit included discussions on trade, technology transfer, and investment opportunities. His Majesty’s trip came after a five-day state visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu.
Her trip also followed similar visits by other senior government figures, highlighting the continuous diplomatic and economic engagements between the two nations.
