February 12, 2025
No. 037
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon on February 12 for a delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla. He thanked Eswatini for its staunch commitment to diplomatic alliance with Taiwan and for its firm support for Taiwan’s international participation over the years.
In his remarks at the event, Minister Lin also spoke about the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Eswatini that had seriously impacted the lives of people in some areas. He extended sympathies to those affected and recounted President Lai Ching-te’s instruction that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) must do its utmost to assist in the Eswatini government’s relief efforts and increase food donations so that the disaster victims could resume normal life as early as possible.
Commenting on the close bilateral cooperation across various domains, Minister Lin stated that the strategic oil reserve project currently underway in Eswatini was the largest infrastructure project by the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties. He added that Taiwan and Eswatini had steadily strengthened collaboration in such areas as energy, agriculture, education, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. He noted that among the joint projects, the Women’s Business Start-Up Microfinance Revolving Fund established in 2023 with assistance from the Taiwan government had effectively provided start-up capital to female entrepreneurs in rural areas of Eswatini. Minister Lin affirmed that more than 500 women had benefited from the program and that a beneficiary family had named their newborn daughter Taiwan out of gratitude, highlighting the positive impact of the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini on the people’s well-being. He further expressed that such developments were inspiring.
During the luncheon, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla thanked Taiwan for assisting in the national development of Eswatini. She reiterated that Eswatini would not falter in its support for Taiwan under any external pressure; that it would stand by Taiwan in the face of all challenges; and that it would continue to uphold Taiwan’s right to participate in all international organizations, including the United Nations.
Deputy Prime Minister Dladla emphasized that Taiwan and Eswatini enjoyed deep and extensive cooperation, having built a partnership as strong as family ties. As an example, she cited Taiwan’s prompt evacuation assistance to Eswatini expatriates in Ukraine when the Russia-Ukraine war erupted as testament to the genuine friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini.
The luncheon was also attended by Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lue Jen-der, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, Superintendent of Taipei Medical University Hospital Shih Chun-ming, and Board Chairperson of the Garden of Hope Foundation Pan Ay-woan. Participants exchanged views on healthcare, education, and energy collaboration between Taiwan and Eswatini; the creation of social safety nets; protection of vulnerable groups; and other issues.
Eswatini established diplomatic relations with Taiwan immediately after it gained independence in 1968. MOFA will maintain close cooperation with the government of Eswatini to steadily promote the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, foster a reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnership, enhance the well-being of the peoples of Taiwan and Eswatini, and further consolidate bilateral ties. (E)