HIS Majesty King Mswati III had a courtesy visit from Taiwan’s National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-Yen, ahead of the scheduled State visit of Lai Ching-te next week.
The meeting took place yesterday at Lozitha Palace, where Tsai delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of President Lai, marking the king’s 40 years on the throne.
President Lai is expected in the country from April 22 to 27. During the visit, he will attend celebrations of His Majesty’s 58th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his coronation. The visit underscores the enduring diplomatic ties between the two nations, with Eswatini remaining Taiwan’s sole ally in Africa.
Speaking during the meeting, the King said the upcoming visit reflected the strength and stability of relations between the two countries. He expressed anticipation for President Lai’s arrival into the kingdom.
Prior to his audience with the king, Tsai paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla. According to the DPM’s communication office, Dladla commended Taiwan for its ongoing support in strengthening the country’s security sector, particularly in combating illegal activities involving foreign nationals.
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She also acknowledged Taiwan’s contributions to key security projects that have enhanced social stability across the kingdom.
The visit comes at a significant time, coinciding not only with the king’s milestone celebrations but also with 58 years of diplomatic relations between Eswatini and Taiwan.
According to Taiwan’s Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo, as quoted in Taiwan News, President Lai’s visit will focus on three strategic areas. These include promoting mutual security through initiatives such as the development of strategic oil reserves to bolster Eswatini’s energy security and sustainable development.
The second priority is enhancing economic cooperation. Taiwan has identified Eswatini as a key investment partner in Africa, citing its stable business environment and skilled workforce. Initiatives such as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park are expected to support Taiwanese companies expanding into African markets while creating local employment opportunities.
The third area of focus is digital development. Taiwan aims to leverage its expertise in semi-conductors and information technology to support Eswatini in advancing smart healthcare systems, including telemedicine services to improve public health delivery.
During his stay, President Lai is also expected to receive briefings on Taiwanese-funded projects and inspect smart healthcare services implemented through Taiwan’s medical mission in the country.
