… Ambassador presents credentials to President Lai Ching-te
…Industrialisation, technology and jobs take centre stage
…. Eswatini pledges continued international support for Taiwan
BY MBONGENI NDLELA
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Eswatini’s newly appointed Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene, has formally begun his diplomatic assignment after presenting his Letters of Credence to President Lai Ching-te on Monday, 5 October 2026.
The ceremony at Taiwan’s Presidential Office officially confirmed Kunene as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Taiwan’s Presidential Office confirmed the ceremony, saying President Lai welcomed Kunene to his new assignment and expressed hope that his experience would help deepen the longstanding partnership between the two countries. This year marks 58 years of diplomatic relations between Eswatini and Taiwan.
Kunene used his first major diplomatic engagement to deliver a strong message from Eswatini’s leadership, describing the relationship between the two countries as one that has moved beyond diplomacy and is increasingly producing tangible benefits for ordinary people.
“I have the honour of conveying to Your Excellency the warmest greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini,” Kunene said.
He said Their Majesties fondly recalled their engagements with Taiwan’s leadership and people and continued to attach great importance to the friendship between the two countries.
PARTNERSHIP VISIBLE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES
Kunene said one of the strengths of the Eswatini-Taiwan relationship was that its impact could be seen beyond government offices and diplomatic ceremonies.
He pointed particularly to healthcare, agriculture, education, scholarships and technical training.
“Taiwan’s partnership with Eswatini is visible in our hospitals, where Taiwanese medical teams work alongside Emaswati health professionals. It can be seen on our farms, in our schools and universities, in technical and vocational training programmes, and in the growing number of Emaswati who have acquired knowledge and skills through scholarships in Taiwan,” he said.
That cooperation is expected to remain an important feature of Kunene’s tenure.
President Lai said Taiwan would continue working with Eswatini in agriculture, healthcare, education, trade, technology and other sectors, while advancing major development initiatives under Taiwan’s cooperation framework with its diplomatic partners.
RELATIONS ENTER NEW ECONOMIC PHASE
Kunene further highlighted what he described as a changing character of the bilateral relationship, with greater emphasis now being placed on investment, industrial development, energy security and employment.
He singled out the International Convention Centre, Strategic Oil Reserve Facility and Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park as examples of projects reflecting the expanding economic dimension of bilateral cooperation.
“The longstanding cordial relationship is also increasingly visible in major economic and infrastructure initiatives,” Kunene said.
He said the projects demonstrated the transition of the partnership into a new phase centred on investment, industrialisation, energy security, technology transfer and employment creation.
The Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park has emerged as one of the initiatives through which the two governments hope to attract Taiwanese investment and create stronger industrial links. President Lai also identified the project among areas Taiwan intends to continue supporting.
For Eswatini, the economic dimension could prove particularly important as the country seeks investment capable of generating jobs, transferring skills and increasing industrial production.
KING INVITED TO DOUBLE TEN CELEBRATIONS
Kunene also highlighted the relationship between King Mswati III and President Lai, saying exchanges at leadership level remained an important pillar of bilateral cooperation.
“The closeness of our relationship is equally reflected in the warmth of the exchanges between our two leaders,” he said.
Kunene conveyed King Mswati III’s appreciation for an invitation to participate in Taiwan’s Double Ten National Day celebrations.
The invitation represents another opportunity for high-level engagement between the two countries following a series of exchanges involving their leadership.
ESWATINI TO CONTINUE BACKING TAIWAN
Kunene also made clear that Eswatini’s support for Taiwan on the international stage would continue.
He said the Kingdom would continue advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, arguing that global challenges required inclusive international cooperation.
According to Kunene, issues including pandemics and humanitarian emergencies could not be adequately addressed when Taiwan was excluded from international platforms.
Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that Kunene specifically committed Eswatini to continuing its advocacy for Taiwan’s participation in international organisations during the credentials ceremony.
Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa and one of 12 countries maintaining formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan).
PRESIDENT LAI WELCOMES KUNENE
President Lai welcomed Kunene to Taiwan and said the friendship between the two countries had stood the test of time and changes in the international environment.
According to Taiwan’s Presidential Office, Lai expressed confidence that Kunene’s diplomatic experience would contribute towards even deeper relations and more diversified cooperation between the two countries.
The President said Taiwan would continue working with Eswatini on programmes intended to improve the welfare of citizens in both countries.
For Kunene, the presentation of credentials now opens the formal chapter of his assignment in Taipei.
His tenure comes at a time when Eswatini-Taiwan relations are increasingly shifting towards commercial investment, industrial development, technology, skills transfer and employment creation, alongside the longstanding cooperation in health, agriculture and education.
The challenge for the new Ambassador will be to turn the strong political relationship into even more opportunities that can be felt by ordinary Emaswati — through jobs, skills, investment, healthcare and expanded trade.
With 58 years of diplomatic relations already behind them, Eswatini and Taiwan are now positioning their partnership for what could become a more economically focused chapter.
