Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, acting as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, is heading to Eswatini April 22-26 to attend celebrations in honor of King Mswati III’s 57th birthday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the delegation is scheduled to have an audience with King Mswati III, Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala and hold talks with Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu on reinforcing the bilateral partnership. Lin will also present the king with a congratulatory letter from Lai, the MOFA added.
Witnessing the fruits of collaborative projects between the allies, such as smart city development and a microfinance fund for women-led businesses, are a focus of the contingent’s calendar. The ministry said that delegation members are also planning to attend the launch ceremony for Eswatini’s strategic oil reserve project, which was set up with assistance from Taiwan, and visit Mbabane Government Hospital’s emergency clinic, which was built in cooperation with Taiwan.
The MOFA said Lin and Shakantu will sign a memorandum of understanding to work together to prevent information manipulation and respond effectively to information security challenges. To strengthen mutual economic resilience, Lin is also leading an economic and trade team to explore opportunities to collaborate in business, investment and labor, and to support enterprises from Taiwan interested in expanding operations in Africa.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1968, Taiwan and Eswatini have enjoyed a strong and productive relationship. Frequent reciprocal trips between high-ranking officials include a visit from King Mswati III and a delegation of more than 100 people to attend Lai’s inauguration ceremony last year, the ministry concluded. (POC-E)
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