Taiwan’s only ally in Africa will continue to call for the nation’s inclusion in the UN, King Mswati III of Eswatini said at a ceremony hosted by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in Taipei yesterday.
“We will continue to advocate for the admission of Taiwan to the UN family,” Mswati, who arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for a six-day visit, said at the ceremony, which featured a military salute.
It is his 18th visit to Taiwan.
Photo: CNA
The nation has a lot to offer to the international community and should be allowed to freely and effectively participate in global technology, aviation and health affairs, the king said.
“The longer that Taiwan is not allowed to be a member of the UN family, the longer the world is deprived of vital components of global evolution,” he said.
Mswati’s delegation includes Swazi Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thulisile Dladla, Swazi Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg and Swazi Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, as well as Queen Inkhosikati LaMashwama, one of Mswati’s wives, and some of the king’s children.
Taiwan and Eswatini have enjoyed “healthy diplomatic relations” since the two countries established formal ties in 1968, Mswati said, adding that the visit demonstrated that “Eswatini is committed to [giving] support and solidarity to our friends” in Taiwan.
“What has kept us together all these years is a relationship that is built on a strong bond of friendship, respect, shared values and trust between our people,” the king added.
Eswatini is one of only a handful of absolute monarchies in the world. Mswati became king in 1986, following the death of his father, king Sobhuza II, who ruled the country for more than eight decades.
In July last year, the EU, the US and the UK issued a joint statement urging Swazi authorities to “exercise restraint and respect human rights” following reports that the kingdom’s security forces had used deadly force against pro-democracy protesters.
Yesterday, Tsai said cooperation between Taiwan and Eswatini had expanded in the past few years, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tsai said she is looking forward to discussing issues of interest to Taiwan and Eswatini with the delegation to “jointly spur new developments” that benefit both sides.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the delegation would meet with officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and cohost a business seminar to help attract Taiwanese investors to Eswatini. The delegation is also to visit a refinery run by CPC Corp, Taiwan in Taoyuan and meet with Swazi students in Taiwan, it said.
The delegation is to depart on Tuesday, it added.
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