President Lai to Visit Eswatini from 22nd to 27th, Hopes to Achieve 3 Co-Prosperity Goals
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te will visit the allied African nation of Eswatini from April 22 to 27. The visit aims for 'co-prosperity in security, economy, and digital affairs,' serving as a crucial opportunity to deepen the friendly relations between the two countries.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 12:46
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 12:51 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 13:01 (9 min after Collected)
Central Message
(CNA, Taipei, 13th, Reporter Yeh Su-ping) The Presidential Office announced today that President Lai Ching-te will visit the allied African nation, the Kingdom of Eswatini, from April 22nd to 27th. The theme of the visit is "Taiwan and Eswatini Celebrating Together, Prospering Hand in Hand." Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui said that President Lai hopes this trip will achieve three co-prosperity goals: security, economic, and digital co-prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the trip will be a direct flight with no transit stops.
The Presidential Office held a press conference this morning to announce the itinerary for President Lai's visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Kuo Ya-hui said that this year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's coronation and his 58th birthday, Eswatini will hold a series of celebrations from April 24th to 26th.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that King Mswati had been invited to Taiwan for President Lai's inauguration ceremony in 2024. In addition, the King sent a personally signed letter this year sincerely inviting President Lai to attend the relevant celebrations at this important moment for Eswatini. To respond positively to the King's enthusiastic invitation, demonstrate the importance placed on the diplomatic ally, and continue to deepen the close and friendly partnership between the two countries, with hopes of injecting new momentum into bilateral cooperation on the existing solid foundation, President Lai has decided to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini from April 22nd to 27th.
She said the theme of this visit is the "Journey of Taiwan and Eswatini Celebrating Together, Prospering Hand in Hand," symbolizing that the two countries stand shoulder to shoulder to celebrate at a crucial historical moment, highlighting their continued deepening of cooperation on the road to prosperity to create common well-being for the people of both nations.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai hopes to achieve three co-prosperity goals with this trip. The first is "security co-prosperity." Taiwan and Eswatini have accumulated concrete and fruitful results in fields such as agriculture, public health education, women's empowerment, and renewable energy. In the future, they will further cooperate in building strategic oil storage tanks to enhance Eswatini's energy security and promote the country's sustainable development.
She said the second co-prosperity is "economic co-prosperity." Eswatini is an important ally of Taiwan in Africa. In addition to a stable investment environment and excellent talent, it is also an important member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In the future, Taiwan will promote the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" in Eswatini to help Taiwanese businesses deploy globally and connect to the African market, creating more employment opportunities for the local area and building a solid, mutually beneficial strategic partnership to promote national prosperity and development.
She stated the third is "digital co-prosperity." Taiwan is a key node in the global technology supply chain, possessing world-leading semiconductor and ICT capabilities. Based on this, it will assist Eswatini in introducing smart healthcare and telemedicine systems to overcome geographical limitations, shorten the digital divide, and protect the health of the people of our ally.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung explained that the delegation will depart on the 22nd and return at noon on the 27th. The delegation includes Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-ching, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Chiang Wen-jo, NSC Deputy Secretary-General Lee Wen, Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, and the media. Legislators from both ruling and opposition parties were not invited on this trip.
Regarding whether the flight will pass over the Middle East, Wu Chih-chung said it will not fly over the Middle East region but will fly directly to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The trip is a direct flight with no transit, based on the principles of comfort, safety, dignity, and convenience.
Wu Chih-chung stated that President Lai will meet with the King, hold bilateral talks, sign a joint communique with the King, witness the signing of a "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement" by the two foreign ministers, and pay a courtesy call on the Queen Mother. In addition, President Lai will be briefed on the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" and "Strategic Oil Storage Tanks," and witness the signing of investment intention letters by Taiwanese businesspeople; inspect the "Smart Healthcare Clinic" of the medical mission stationed in Eswatini; and attend the results presentation of the "Women's Entrepreneurship Micro-credit Revolving Fund."
He said the delegation will also attend the double celebration of the 40th anniversary of the King's coronation and his 58th birthday, as well as a state banquet, the opening ceremony of the Eswatini International Convention Centre, and a garden party. In addition, they will host a banquet for overseas compatriots from Eswatini and the southern African region. (Edited by: Wan Shu-chang) 1150413
(CNA, Taipei, 13th, Reporter Yeh Su-ping) The Presidential Office announced today that President Lai Ching-te will visit the allied African nation, the Kingdom of Eswatini, from April 22nd to 27th. The theme of the visit is "Taiwan and Eswatini Celebrating Together, Prospering Hand in Hand." Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui said that President Lai hopes this trip will achieve three co-prosperity goals: security, economic, and digital co-prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the trip will be a direct flight with no transit stops.
The Presidential Office held a press conference this morning to announce the itinerary for President Lai's visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Kuo Ya-hui said that this year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's coronation and his 58th birthday, Eswatini will hold a series of celebrations from April 24th to 26th.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that King Mswati had been invited to Taiwan for President Lai's inauguration ceremony in 2024. In addition, the King sent a personally signed letter this year sincerely inviting President Lai to attend the relevant celebrations at this important moment for Eswatini. To respond positively to the King's enthusiastic invitation, demonstrate the importance placed on the diplomatic ally, and continue to deepen the close and friendly partnership between the two countries, with hopes of injecting new momentum into bilateral cooperation on the existing solid foundation, President Lai has decided to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini from April 22nd to 27th.
She said the theme of this visit is the "Journey of Taiwan and Eswatini Celebrating Together, Prospering Hand in Hand," symbolizing that the two countries stand shoulder to shoulder to celebrate at a crucial historical moment, highlighting their continued deepening of cooperation on the road to prosperity to create common well-being for the people of both nations.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai hopes to achieve three co-prosperity goals with this trip. The first is "security co-prosperity." Taiwan and Eswatini have accumulated concrete and fruitful results in fields such as agriculture, public health education, women's empowerment, and renewable energy. In the future, they will further cooperate in building strategic oil storage tanks to enhance Eswatini's energy security and promote the country's sustainable development.
She said the second co-prosperity is "economic co-prosperity." Eswatini is an important ally of Taiwan in Africa. In addition to a stable investment environment and excellent talent, it is also an important member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In the future, Taiwan will promote the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" in Eswatini to help Taiwanese businesses deploy globally and connect to the African market, creating more employment opportunities for the local area and building a solid, mutually beneficial strategic partnership to promote national prosperity and development.
She stated the third is "digital co-prosperity." Taiwan is a key node in the global technology supply chain, possessing world-leading semiconductor and ICT capabilities. Based on this, it will assist Eswatini in introducing smart healthcare and telemedicine systems to overcome geographical limitations, shorten the digital divide, and protect the health of the people of our ally.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung explained that the delegation will depart on the 22nd and return at noon on the 27th. The delegation includes Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-ching, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Chiang Wen-jo, NSC Deputy Secretary-General Lee Wen, Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, and the media. Legislators from both ruling and opposition parties were not invited on this trip.
Regarding whether the flight will pass over the Middle East, Wu Chih-chung said it will not fly over the Middle East region but will fly directly to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The trip is a direct flight with no transit, based on the principles of comfort, safety, dignity, and convenience.
Wu Chih-chung stated that President Lai will meet with the King, hold bilateral talks, sign a joint communique with the King, witness the signing of a "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement" by the two foreign ministers, and pay a courtesy call on the Queen Mother. In addition, President Lai will be briefed on the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" and "Strategic Oil Storage Tanks," and witness the signing of investment intention letters by Taiwanese businesspeople; inspect the "Smart Healthcare Clinic" of the medical mission stationed in Eswatini; and attend the results presentation of the "Women's Entrepreneurship Micro-credit Revolving Fund."
He said the delegation will also attend the double celebration of the 40th anniversary of the King's coronation and his 58th birthday, as well as a state banquet, the opening ceremony of the Eswatini International Convention Centre, and a garden party. In addition, they will host a banquet for overseas compatriots from Eswatini and the southern African region. (Edited by: Wan Shu-chang) 1150413