President Lai hosts state banquet for King Mswati III and Inkhosikati Make Zuma of Eswatini

At noon on October 9, following a welcome ceremony with military honors and bilateral talks, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for His Majesty King Mswati III and Inkhosikati Make Zuma of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai stated that the genuine, familial bond between Taiwan and Eswatini is the most precious asset two nations can share. He expressed hope that the two countries will continue to deepen exchanges in such areas as youth, culture, education, climate change, and sustainability, enhancing interactions between their peoples, consolidating bilateral ties, and working together toward a friendship that endures across generations as they build a more sustainable future together.

A translation of President Lai's remarks follows:

It is a great pleasure and honor to host this state banquet today to welcome His Majesty King Mswati III, Inkhosikati Make Zuma, and the distinguished guests who have traveled all the way from Eswatini. Although Taiwan and Eswatini are geographically separated by thousands of kilometers, an invisible thread connects our hearts and ties us together in a friendship that feels more like family. A genuine and familial bond such as ours is the most precious asset two nations can share.

For more than half a century, our governments and peoples have maintained close and frequent exchanges. Many people in Taiwan feel a special affinity for Eswatini, and many friends from Eswatini have come to regard Taiwan as a second home. From the selfless dedication of volunteers to meaningful exchanges in culture and education, this spirit of mutual support and trust that transcends borders continues to lay an even firmer foundation for further elevating the friendship between our two countries.

The world is changing rapidly, but Taiwan and Eswatini have never wavered in our staunch belief in peace and the constitutional order. We both cherish this friendship, which has stood the test of time. Looking ahead, we aspire to create even more opportunities for our peoples to work together face to face, whether through the creative energy of our younger generations, exchanges in the humanities and the arts, or joint efforts to address climate change and advance sustainability.

Today's state banquet is a gathering of family. I want to express the deepest respect and gratitude to His Majesty the King, Inkhosikati Zuma, and all the people who have worked tirelessly over the years to advance our friendship. I wish His Majesty the King and Inkhosikati Zuma good health and success in all endeavors. May the Kingdom of Eswatini continue to flourish and prosper. And may the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini endure for generations to come as we build a more sustainable future together.

King Mswati III then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for the honor of the splendid state banquet. He said he vividly recalled his previous visit to Taiwan for President Lai's inauguration, during which he took part in a shrimp fishing activity and had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other guests, leaving him with fond and lasting memories. He said it is a particular pleasure to be in Taiwan just before National Day and that tomorrow Eswatini will proudly join in celebrating the achievements of the people of Taiwan. He congratulated Taiwan on the peace, prosperity, growth, and development of recent years, which have made it a global leader in high-tech industries, in public health and smart agriculture, and in the skills and education of its people.

King Mswati III said that the true value of the relationship between Eswatini and Taiwan can be seen in the lives it has touched: in the young person who returns home from studying in Taiwan equipped with the knowledge and confidence to serve Eswatini, the farmer who gains new skills, the patient who receives care, and the family whose home is connected to electricity. These experiences, he said, give the friendship a place in the daily lives of both peoples and create lasting bonds between Emaswati and Taiwanese who work, learn, and serve alongside one another. He paid tribute to the medical teams, technical experts, educators, businesspeople, and volunteers who have devoted their talents to the partnership, and recognized the two countries' diplomatic missions and public institutions for their commitment to keeping cooperation active and responsive, expressing sincere appreciation to them all.

King Mswati III said that Taiwan's accomplishments demonstrate what a people can achieve through education, enterprise, innovation, and determination, and that its experience offers much from which partners can learn, even as each nation follows a path suited to its own circumstances. Eswatini, he said, is working to widen opportunity, unlock the talents of its young people, and build an economy that offers them a promising future at home. He expressed hope that the two countries will further strengthen investment, industrial development, energy security, and knowledge exchange, so that the benefits of cooperation reach more communities and open more doors for future generations. He added that greater contact between the two peoples will also help renew friendship and deepen mutual understanding.

King Mswati III emphasized that every nation has the right to freely choose its friends and pursue cooperation in accordance with its sovereign aspirations. Eswatini's friendship with Taiwan is a commitment that Eswatini has cherished and continues to uphold, he said, and it remains supportive of Taiwan's meaningful participation in the international community. He said he believes the world benefits when knowledge is shared, experience is welcomed, and countries work together to meet common challenges. He also expressed the wish to see peace preserved through dialogue and differences resolved peacefully, noting that the hopes of families everywhere for safety, dignity, and a better future for their children are best served by cooperation and stability. In closing, King Mswati III extended his heartfelt wishes for the continued well-being and prosperity of the people of Taiwan, expressing hope that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow in strength, and that their shared endeavors will leave a lasting legacy for both peoples.

Also in attendance at the state banquet were Eswatini Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Prince Simelane, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Bheki Khumalo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, and Eswatini Ambassador Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene.

 

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