TAIPEI, Taiwan: His Majesty King Mswati III has credited Eswatini’s long standing relationship with Taiwan with improving the lives of emaSwati through cooperation in education, agriculture, healthcare and rural electrification.
The King made the remarks during a state banquet hosted in his honour by Taiwan President Lai Ching te, where he reflected on the practical benefits of the partnership and the people who have contributed to strengthening relations between the two countries.
He said the value of the bilateral relationship should be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens, pointing to improvements in communities and opportunities created through cooperation between Eswatini and Taiwan.
“The true value of our relationship can be seen in the lives it has touched.”
King Mswati III said the partnership had enabled young emaSwati to return home with knowledge and skills to contribute to national development, helped farmers adopt improved agricultural techniques, supported patients in accessing healthcare and extended electricity connections to rural households.
He added that the cooperation had created lasting personal and professional relationships between citizens of the two countries.
“These shared experiences have embedded the friendship between the two nations into the daily lives of their people, fostering enduring bonds between emaSwati and Taiwanese professionals, technical experts, medical personnel, and volunteers working side by side.”
The monarch also congratulated Taiwan on its economic development, technological progress and international contributions in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, smart agriculture and public health.
He said Taiwan’s development journey offered lessons on the role of determination, innovation and education in advancing a country’s economic and social progress.
The banquet also provided an opportunity for the King to recall his previous visit to Taiwan for President Lai’s inauguration. Reflecting on the visit, he shared a light hearted memory of a joint shrimp fishing expedition, joking that he had emerged as the champion of the contest.
On international relations, King Mswati III reiterated Eswatini’s support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international platforms, arguing that countries should have the sovereign freedom to determine their diplomatic relationships.
He also called for dialogue as a means of resolving international disagreements, noting the importance of peace and stability to families and communities around the world.
The King said people everywhere deserved to live in safety and have the opportunity to build a better future.
Ahead of Taiwan’s National Day celebrations on Saturday, October 10, 2026, King Mswati III conveyed his wishes for continued peace, good health and prosperity for the Taiwanese people.
He concluded the banquet proceedings by leading guests in a toast to President Lai and the enduring friendship between Eswatini and Taiwan.
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