Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) concluded a trip to Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, on Saturday by pledging a donation to support local rhinoceros conservation efforts.
Lin returned to Taiwan after a five-day visit to the African kingdom that began on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released yesterday.
The visit, primarily made to celebrate King Mswati III’s 57th birthday, with Lin serving as President William Lai’s (賴清德) special envoy, ended with Lin pledging a US$55,000 donation to Big Game Parks, an Eswatini-based nonprofit trust that manages four wildlife parks in the landlocked country, the ministry said.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via CNA
The money would help conserve rhino habitats in the African kingdom, the ministry added.
Lin also named a newborn rhinoceros “Formosa” during his visit, in one of the parks managed by Big Game Parks, to symbolize the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini, the ministry said.
“Formosa” is a former Western name for Taiwan, given by Portuguese explorers who called the island “Ilha Formosa,” meaning “beautiful island,” when they first sighted it in the 16th century.
The pledged donation was witnessed by Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu and Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane, the ministry added.
Taiwan established formal diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Eswatini on Sept. 6, 1968, when Eswatini gained independence from the UK.
Eswatini — formerly known as Swaziland — is Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS