May 17, 2015
No. 098
King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland, accompanied by Inkhosikati Make LaMotsa and a high-level delegation, will pay a state visit to the Republic of China May 17 to 21, at the invitation of ROC President Ma Ying-jeou. Delegation members include Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini, Minister of Economic Planning and Development; Gideon Dlamini, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade; and Jabulile Mashwama, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy. This is the king’s 15th trip to Taiwan.
President Ma will welcome King Mswati III with a military salute and host a state banquet in his honor. The king will also exchange views with David Y. L. Lin, ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs, on matters of mutual concern. In addition, he will attend the 2015 Taiwan International Orchid Show to name a new species of orchid, visit Shih Chien University, I-Shou University, and Cal-Comp Biotech and the Plant Factory. Minister Gideon Dlamini will also host a Business Seminar to help attract potential Taiwanese investors on May 21.
Ties between the ROC and Swaziland have been very close since diplomatic relations were established in 1968. The Swazi government has in recent years been a strong supporter of Taiwan’s efforts to gain meaningful participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. (E)