King of Eswatini visits Taiwan again for National Day, upgrading bilateral ties

King Mswati III of Eswatini, a close ally of Africa, has once again arrived in Taiwan at the invitation of the host country, leading a delegation for a multi-day state visit. He is scheduled to personally attend the national day celebrations of the Republic of China. This marks the twentieth visit to Taiwan during King Mswati III’s reign. At a critical juncture characterized by dramatic shifts in international geopolitical landscapes and increasing pressure from the mainland on Taiwan’s diplomatic space, the visit carries profound political symbolic significance. Upon welcoming the King, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-long emphasized that the bilateral relationship has not only remained solid in recent years but has also demonstrated a high degree of mutual understanding and loyalty in times of hardship. He specifically highlighted Eswatini’s substantial and warm support for Taiwan on the diplomatic stage in May of this year, which pushed the bilateral friendship to a historic high.

Looking back at the significant diplomatic incident in May, which coincided with the transition between the old and new administrations in Taiwan, international diplomatic dynamics were under intense scrutiny. China continued to impose strict blockades and exert pressure on Taiwan at international multilateral forums, including the World Health Organization. In response to the unreasonable treatment and obstruction faced by Taiwanese diplomats and scholars when engaging in international affairs, Eswatini demonstrated a firm stance that moved various sectors of Taiwanese society. Eswatini not only spoke up in defense of Taiwan in multiple international venues, but King Mswati III also directly dispatched a state aircraft to assist the Taiwanese delegation, which was facing a diplomatic dilemma, in successfully navigating through the blockade. This diplomatic anecdote, described by Lin as a "warm escort," not only effectively countered China’s diplomatic siege but also allowed the Taiwanese people to deeply feel the warmth and chivalry of their close African friend.

Since gaining independence in 1968, the Kingdom of Eswatini has maintained formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China. Over the course of more than half a century, the two nations have consistently upheld a deep and solid friendship. In a challenging diplomatic environment where Taiwan faces a continuous loss of international recognition and a gradual decline in the number of allied nations, Eswatini remains the only country on the African continent to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, making its strategic value self-evident. For many years, Taiwan and Eswatini have engaged in in-depth cooperation projects in areas such as agricultural technology, medical health, infrastructure, information and communications, and vocational training. Medical teams and agricultural squads dispatched by Taiwan have reached the grassroots level in Eswatini, tangibly improving the quality of life for the local population. This pragmatic diplomacy, rooted in people’s livelihoods and mutual benefit, serves as the strongest cornerstone for sustaining the long-term friendly relationship between the two countries.

King Mswati III’s twentieth visit to Taiwan, conducted at the level of a state visit, not only sets a rare record for the number of visits by a foreign head of state but also conveys a clear and unambiguous message to the international community through concrete action: Eswatini’s firm support for Taiwan remains unshaken by any external political pressure. As Taiwan celebrates its Double Ten National Day, the personal attendance of the Eswatini head of state and his senior delegation at the festivities not only bestows great honor on Taiwan’s home-ground diplomacy but also concretely embodies the spirit of mutual support among the democratic camp. For the Taiwanese government, maintaining solid diplomatic ties with Eswatini is not only key to preserving diplomatic reach on the African continent but also an important indicator demonstrating that Taiwan is not isolated or without support in the international community.

Looking ahead, the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini is expected to continue deepening on the existing strong foundation. In the face of rapid changes in the global political and economic landscape and the challenge of authoritarian expansion, the sharing of democratic and free values has become the core bond linking Taiwan and its allied nations. Through this royal visit, Lin further consolidated the foundation of high-level mutual trust between the two countries. In the future, in addition to traditional cooperation in agricultural technology and healthcare, both sides are actively exploring new avenues for collaboration in emerging fields such as the green energy industry, digital transformation, and economic and trade investment. King Mswati III’s twentieth visit to Taiwan not only summarizes decades of friendly cooperation but also opens a promising prelude for the next decade of joint efforts between the two nations.

(Source: Central News Agency)