BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
EZULWINI – The President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lai Ching-te has extended a warm invitation to Their Majesties and emaSwati to visit Taiwan, describing the country as a “second home” and reaffirming strong bilateral ties with Eswatini.
Speaking during a state dinner at the Ezulwini Palazzo (ICC) hosted by His Majesty King Mswati III, President Lai stressed that the two nations are bound by shared values and mutual respect.
“Eswatini and Taiwan are like family. To all emaSwati, Taiwan is your second home,” he said.
INVITATION AND PERSONAL TOUCH
The President formally invited Their Majesties to Taiwan, expressing excitement at the prospect of the visit. He revealed that preparations would include serving Her Majesty Indlovukazi’s favourite meal.
He shared that he had the opportunity to sit next to the Indlovukazi during the dinner, where he personally asked about her preferred dishes.
“I was pleased to sit next to Her Majesty and learn about her favourite meals,” he said.
President Lai further emphasised that Taiwan would always welcome Their Majesties and emaSwati, adding that strengthened cooperation would lead to greater prosperity and improved livelihoods.
OVER A DECADE SINCE INDLOVUKAZI VISIT
President Lai noted that it has been over 10 years since the Indlovukazi last visited Taiwan in June 2016, when she led a delegation to Taipei and met then-President Tsai Ing-wen.
That visit, according to available records, was primarily for a health examination and marked her eighth trip to Taiwan.
KING’S RECENT ENGAGEMENTS
Meanwhile, His Majesty King Mswati III last visited Taiwan in May 2024, where he attended President Lai’s inauguration in Taipei and held bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation.
His Majesty has maintained consistent high-level engagements with Taiwan, including a five-day state visit in October 2022 at the invitation of then-President Tsai Ing-wen.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
Eswatini and Taiwan’s cooperation spans over five decades, focusing on infrastructure, health, and economic empowerment.
Key projects include the Strategic Oil Reserve Facility at Phuzumoya, designed to secure a 60-day national fuel supply, as well as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park and the Ezulwini Palazzo, which is positioning the country as a hub for international events.
In the health sector, Taiwan has supported the establishment of a Smart Healthcare Clinic at Manzini Government Hospital and the construction of an emergency unit at Mbabane Government Hospital, while also training over 150 emaSwati doctors.
EMASWATI IN TAIWAN
There are currently over 600 emaSwati studying in Taiwan under various scholarship programmes, including those supported by MOFA and ICDF. Key institutions hosting emaSwati students include National Cheng Kung University, which has academic exchange agreements with the University of Eswatini.
New opportunities are expanding this presence. A policy introduced in January 2026 allows emaSwati graduates from Taiwanese universities to work in Taiwan for up to two years without requiring a separate work permit. Additionally, a joint recruitment plan aims to place 1 000 emaSwati annually in various Taiwanese industries.
Beyond education, emaSwati in Taiwan are increasingly finding employment in technical fields, manufacturing and other specialised professions. The community also participates in cultural events and continues to benefit from strong people-to-people relations between the two nations, with Taiwan often regarded as a home away from home for emaSwati.
