BY KING’S OFFICE CORRESPONDENTS
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Taiwan’s National Day celebrations placed the Kingdom of Eswatini in clear diplomatic focus on Saturday, as President Lai Ching-te used his address to recognise the Kingdom’s long-standing support and welcome the presence of King Mswati III and Liphovela LaZuma.
His Majesty the King led a senior Eswatini delegation to the Republic of China National Day event, commonly known as Double Ten, in Taipei. The delegation included Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu, Minister Manqoba Khumalo, Minister Prince Simelane, Princess Sidvumolesihle, Prince Wandile, Chief Officer Mgwagwa Gamedze, the King’s Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane and Eswatini’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Vulindlela Kunene.
The King’s presence gave public weight to a relationship that has endured for 58 years. Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, a position that gives the kingdom special importance as Taipei works to protect its international space and strengthen ties among friendly nations.
In his National Day speech, President Lai thanked King Mswati III for the welcome he received during his state visit to Eswatini earlier this year. He also expressed appreciation to Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and the people of Eswatini, noting that the visit had highlighted the depth of bilateral cooperation.
Lai cited ongoing partnerships in energy, agriculture, healthcare, women’s empowerment, education and culture. Although brief, his comments integrated Eswatini into the core message of his speech, which focused on Taiwan’s resilience, democracy, economic strength and international partnerships.
The visit also followed a formal welcome ceremony in Taipei, where both nations reaffirmed their ties. Taiwanese officials noted that this trip marked the King’s 20th visit to Taiwan, which is a milestone reflecting the personal and official depth of the relationship.
Beyond the ceremony, both governments emphasised practical cooperation. Recent engagements have covered law enforcement, business investment and industrial development, including Eswatini’s support for a proposed Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park designed to attract Taiwanese companies and serve as a gateway to African markets.
KING COURTS MORE TAIWANESE INVESTORS
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — His Majesty the King continued his invitation for increased Taiwanese investment in Eswatini during a dinner hosted by Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung at the Grand Hyatt Taipei on Friday evening.
The dinner was attended by Taiwanese government officials, business leaders and an Eswatini delegation including Cabinet Ministers Pholile Shakantu and Manqoba Khumalo, Ambassador Vulindlela Kunene, Chief Officer Mgwagwa Gamedze, Private Secretary Mbongeni Simelane and other officials.
Earlier in the day, during bilateral cooperation talks with President Lai Ching-te, the King advocated for expanded commercial ventures, specifically leveraging the E6 billion Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP) project announced last year.
The discussions focused on converting long-standing diplomatic ties into concrete projects capable of creating jobs, transferring skills and broadening Eswatini’s industrial base.
Foreign Minister Lin welcomed the King and reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to the partnership, noting that Taiwanese officials had taken note of the proposals and expected work to begin once standard procedures were completed.
Lin then invited business representatives to share their plans. Executives from the energy, pharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, and advanced textiles sectors expressed interest in establishing operations within the TIIP.
The industrial park aims to provide Taiwanese manufacturers and service providers with a base in Africa, while bringing new factories, employment and technical training to Eswatini. The initial phase is planned for Phocweni—covering approximately 158 hectares adjacent to the Royal Science and Technology Park—with a secondary site designated at Sidvokodvo.
His Majesty thanked Taiwan’s government and business community for their continued confidence, citing completed and ongoing projects as evidence of practical results. He urged executives to make firm commitments, stating that securing an initial group of at least 30 companies would build momentum and demonstrate Eswatini’s readiness for larger industrial ventures.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that around 60 Taiwanese companies have conducted feasibility visits to Eswatini since the initiative launched, with ten firms in textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals and solar power signing letters of intent.
During Friday’s dinner, Eswatini ministers and officials answered questions from executives regarding the local investment climate, infrastructure, and government support. The delegation assured prospective investors that the government would actively assist in resolving operational hurdles.
Both sides indicated that the next key step will be concluding the formal government-to-government agreement to govern the park’s development, with officials currently finalizing the text while several investors prepare for site visits to Eswatini.
SPECTACLE AND SOLIDARITY AS KING JOINS TAIWAN’S 115TH NATIONAL DAY
TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Under a clear autumn sky on Saturday, the plaza outside the Presidential Office Building transformed into a stage of military precision, cultural pageantry and aerial displays as the Republic of China (Taiwan) marked its 115th National Day.
For Emaswati following events from home, the presence of His Majesty King Mswati III and Liphovela LaZuma among the head diplomatic guests lent a special resonance to the day, highlighting the enduring bond between Eswatini and Taiwan.
The morning opened with indigenous music and dance as the Naluwan Music and Dance Troupe and youth performers from Pingtung indigenous communities delivered energetic routines along Ketagalan Boulevard. Shortly afterwards, the National Defence Ministry’s joint military band and three-service honour guard performed under the theme “Drums and bugles celebrate Double Tenth, united hearts defend the homeland.”
The formal programme began at 10am as a giant national flag, measuring 12 metres by 18 metres and suspended beneath a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, flew over the venue while the national anthem was performed by ten disaster-relief volunteers, the Kinmen County Choir and the Kinmen Children’s Choir.
The Presidential Office recorded that from 9:15am, more than 140 foreign guests offered congratulations to President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim. Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu, serving as National Day Celebration Chairperson, addressed the gathering prior to the presidential speech.
In his address, titled “Taiwan’s Future: A City upon a Hill, the Salt and Light of the World,” President Lai extended a personal greeting to “His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Inkhosikati Make Zuma.” Recalling his state visit to Eswatini earlier in the year, President Lai thanked the King, the Queen Mother and the people of Eswatini for their hospitality, noting ongoing joint projects across healthcare, agriculture, energy, education and culture.
President Lai also outlined Taiwan’s economic outlook, noting economic growth of 14.15 per cent in the first half of the year and a projected full-year rate exceeding 11 per cent—the highest in 39 years. On security, he reiterated that while Taiwan values peace, it remains committed to strengthening its self-defence capabilities to deter conflict.
Following the address, the Military Police Command’s Rapid Reaction Company delivered a high-energy motorcycle demonstration, followed by flypasts of F-16V fighters and the Thunder Tiger aerobatic team. Search-and-rescue demonstrations and a heroes’ motorcade featuring Asian Games medallists rounded off the dynamic displays, alongside Hakka and youth cultural performances.
Taiwanese media gave extensive coverage to the event. Focus Taiwan published the presidential address in full alongside photo essays, while the Taipei Times highlighted the King’s pledge to deepen bilateral friendship and his ongoing support for Taiwan’s participation in international forums.
VISITING LISWATI JOURNALIST SHARES CELEBRATION EXPERIENCE
BY ASHMOND NZIMA (Times of Eswatini Sports Editor – Courtesy of the Taiwanese Embassy)
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – I stood in the heart of Taipei yesterday morning and felt the city pulse with an energy that was impossible to ignore.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) was celebrating its 115th National Day and under the bold slogan ‘TAIWAN. TOGETHER AS ONE!’ the grand plaza outside the Presidential Office Building filled with colour and sound.
The atmosphere around me was electric with patriotism. Flags waved, cameras clicked and a collective pride hung in the air. The centrepiece of the formal programme was President Lai Ching-te’s address. His words carried a clear message of unity, resilience and hope and the crowd listened intently, responding with warm applause.
Among the high-profile international guests seated near the front were His Majesty King Mswati III and Liphovela LaZuma. As a liSwati standing among thousands in the heart of Taipei, I felt a quiet surge of pride when I spotted our national flag flying proudly among the others.
What followed was an extraordinary parade that unfolded along the broad avenue in front of us. It showcased Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage, its military precision and its modern achievements. I watched, almost without blinking, as the Three Services Honour Guard marched with breathtaking discipline. Their bayonets caught the sunlight in perfect synchrony; every rifle spin and formation change was executed with such polish that the crowd erupted in spontaneous cheers after each drill.
High above us, jet fighters swept through the clear sky, trailing vibrant ribbons of smoke that drew gasps from everyone around me. The aerial displays were spectacular.
Then came Taiwan’s celebrated athletes. Fresh from their successes at the Asian Games, the medallists and sporting heroes rode past the grandstands. As they waved to the spectators, the roar of appreciation was immediate and overwhelming. I found myself clapping along with the rest, caught up in the shared celebration of perseverance and excellence.
Cultural troupes, traditional music groups and young performers followed, filling the avenue with rhythm, colour and artistic flair. Indigenous dancers, the Hakka ensembles and school groups brought youthful energy to every step. The entire parade lasted little more than three hours, yet the blend of martial discipline, athletic pride and cultural warmth left me and, I suspect, almost everyone present, wanting more. Time seemed to slow amid the sea of waving flags and smiling faces.
As I write this, the celebrations are set to reach their dramatic finale later tonight. At 10pm local time (4pm back home in Eswatini), a fireworks display and synchronised drone show will light up the sky over Taipei.
It promises to be a spectacular close to a day that felt both grand and deeply personal. It was a day I was privileged to witness first-hand.
