Dr. Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
June 4, 2025
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good afternoon!
It is with profound honor and heartfelt delight that I welcome you to Taiwan today. Reflecting on recent events, I had just concluded a productive visit to the Eswatini, during which I held extensive discussions with the His Majesty King Mswati III as well as the Eswatini government. Our talks yielded numerous cooperation initiatives that will serve to elevate the Taiwan–Eswatini relationship to new heights. I am especially pleased that, so shortly thereafter, H.E. Pholile Shakantu led a delegation to visit Taiwan. This not only underscores the deep mutual trust and spirit of reciprocal support between our two sides, but also stands as a testament to the enduring and robust friendship that binds us.
My visit to the Eswatini proved exceptionally fruitful, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. During my meeting with the His Majesty, we engaged in thorough exchanges of views and developed a deeper understanding of each other’s national priorities. We identified considerable potential for cooperation across a wide range of shared interests.
Concrete initiatives have already been set in motion. These include the Eswatini government selection of industrial sites, Taiwan’s ongoing preparations to dispatch an economic and trade delegation to the Eswatini. These efforts align closely with the “Nkwe” spirit advocated by the His Majesty. I would be most grateful if H.E. Pholile Shakantu would convey to the His Majesty Taiwan government’s sincere appreciation for the Eswatini government steadfast support of these collaborative initiatives.
During my visit, the H.E. Pholile Shakantu and I jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Taiwan and Eswatini on countering information manipulation. In this context, we are also planning to related training programs focused on countering disinformation. This will offer us an opportunity to share Taiwan’s hard-earned experience in resisting such threats.
Moreover, I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Eswatini for its unwavering support of Taiwan on the international stage. Whether at the recently concluded World Health Assembly (WHA), within the United Nations, or across other multilateral forums, the Eswatini has consistently spoken out in defense of Taiwan with clarity and conviction. This enduring friendship touches us deeply, and we will remember it always with heartfelt gratitude.
We are confident that our close cooperation will not only promote development in the Eswatini, but also bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both our nations. Taiwan is fully committed to actively supporting the continued advancement of our joint initiatives. Hand in hand with the Eswatini, we will strive to realize the shared vision embodied in the spirit of “Taiwan Can Help, Eswatini Can Lead.”
Thank you.