François Chihchung Wu
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
October 22, 2025
(As Prepared for Delivery)
The Honorable Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs of the Kingdom of Eswatini;
Your Royal Highness Princess Temaswati;
The Honorable Lomalanga Dlamini, member of the Eswatini Parliament;
Mr. Ted Reilly and Mrs. Reilly;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Sawabona !
It is a great pleasure to host tonight’s dinner. On behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, I warmly welcome our dear friends from Eswatini.
This past April, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung traveled to your beautiful country. Minister Mkhonta and Mr. Reilly kindly guided Minister Lin during his visit to Hlane Royal National Park. We are therefore delighted to have this opportunity to reciprocate your hospitality.
Our two countries share a common vision for sustainable development. For example, sustainable tourism is a key focus area of Taiwan’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project. Just last month, 16 of Taiwan’s largest tour operators visited Eswatini to gather information firsthand. These included Lion Travel, Phoenix Tours, Richmond Tours, and South East Travel Service. They were deeply impressed by your country’s magnificent landscapes, comfortable climate, and rich cultural heritage. Thanks to Minister Mkhonta’s efforts, we are confident that more Taiwanese tourists will visit Eswatini in the years to come.
We are also truly grateful for Eswatini’s consistent support of Taiwan on the world stage. At the United Nations General Assembly this September, His Majesty King Mswati III emphasized for the first time that UNGA Resolution 2758 neither addressed the issue of Taiwan’s representation nor precluded Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations. We greatly appreciate King Mswati’s principled stance.
Looking ahead, COP30 will be held in Belém, Brazil, in November. Taiwan is willing and able to contribute meaningfully to global efforts to combat climate change, and we hope that Minister Mkhonta will continue to speak up for Taiwan’s inclusion in this important international platform.
Wildlife and nature conservation is another area of concern to both our countries. In Taiwan, nearly 20 percent of land and marine territory has been designated as a national park, forest reserve, or other protected area so as to safeguard our ecosystems and biodiversity. We are eager to learn about Eswatini’s valuable experience in this regard. In particular, Mr. Reilly plays a prominent role in Eswatini’s conservation efforts, and we look forward to hearing his insights on this issue. By working together, our countries can protect even more of the world’s precious wildlife.
In closing, please join me in a toast: to the health and happiness of our distinguished guests, to the everlasting friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, and to a sustainable and prosperous future for both our peoples. Siyabonga Cheers!