MANZINI – His Majesty King Mswati III left the country yesterday morning for Taiwan, more than two years after his last official visit.
The King is expected to attend Taiwan’s 115th National Day celebrations, commonly known as Double Ten Day, on Saturday, October 10.
He was accompanied on the trip by Liphovela LaZuma.
The main National Day celebrations will be held in Taipei and are expected to include a ceremony at the Presidential Office Plaza, military and cultural displays and an air force fly-past.
The visit comes as Eswatini and Taiwan mark 58 years of diplomatic relations.
The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1968, with cooperation spanning healthcare, agriculture, education, trade, investment, technology and infrastructure.
The King’s last visit to Taiwan was in May 2024, when he attended the inauguration of President William Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the May 18-23, 2024, visit was the King’s 19th visit to Taiwan since ascending the throne in 1986.
During that visit, the King held talks with Lai, while the two countries witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering digital commerce and financial cooperation.
Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only formal diplomatic ally on the African continent.
The latest visit comes months after Lai travelled to Eswatini in May for celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne and the King’s 58th birthday.
The visit provided an opportunity for the two heads of State to discuss bilateral relations.
Economic cooperation has become an increasingly prominent part of the relationship, with the two countries focusing on investment, industrial development, energy security and technology.
One project linked to the partnership is the proposed Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park in Eswatini, which is intended to create opportunities in investment, manufacturing and technology.
Taiwan has also continued its cooperation with Eswatini in renewable energy, agriculture, digital transformation and healthcare.
The King’s departure comes days after Eswatini’s newly appointed Ambassador to Taiwan, Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene, presented his credentials to Lai in Taipei.
During the occasion, Kunene reaffirmed Eswatini’s support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations.
Lai, meanwhile, expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two countries and welcomed the King’s upcoming visit.
The latest high-level exchanges come as the two countries seek to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic relationship and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
