President Lai to visit Eswatini from April 22-27, aiming for 3 co-prosperity goals
President Lai Ching-te will visit Eswatini from April 22 to 27, with the theme "Taiwan-Eswatini Celebrate Together, Prosper Hand in Hand." The visit aims to achieve three co-prosperity goals: security, economic, and digital. This trip also celebrates 58 years of diplomatic relations, King Mswati III's 40th enthronement anniversary, and his 58th birthday.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 12:46
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 12:51 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:14 (54h 23m after Collected)
The Presidential Office announced today that President Lai Ching-te will visit the African ally, the Kingdom of Eswatini, from April 22 to 27. The theme of the visit is "Taiwan-Eswatini Celebrate Together, Prosper Hand in Hand." Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai expects to achieve three co-prosperity goals during this trip: security co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that this trip will be a direct flight without 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 King Mswati III's 40th enthronement anniversary and his 58th birthday, Eswatini will hold a series of celebratory events from April 24 to April 26.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that King Mswati III was invited to Taiwan in 2024 to attend President Lai's inauguration ceremony. In addition, this year, King Mswati III sincerely invited President Lai to attend relevant celebrations during Eswatini's important moments via a personally signed letter. To actively and positively respond to King Mswati III's warm invitation, and to demonstrate the importance Taiwan places on its diplomatic allies, continuously deepening the close and friendly partnership between the two countries, and hoping to inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation based on existing foundations, President Lai therefore decided to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini from April 22 to April 27.
She said that the theme of this visit is "Taiwan-Eswatini Celebrate Together, Prosper Hand in Hand," symbolizing the two countries celebrating together at a critical historical moment, highlighting both sides' continued cooperation to deepen prosperity and create common well-being for the people of both nations.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai expects to achieve three co-prosperity goals during this trip. The first is "security co-prosperity." Taiwan and Eswatini have accumulated concrete and fruitful results in agriculture, public health education, women's empowerment, and renewable energy. In the future, they will further cooperate to build strategic oil storage tanks to enhance Eswatini's energy security and promote the country's sustainable development.
She said that the second co-prosperity is "economic co-prosperity." Eswatini is an important ally of Taiwan in Africa. In addition to having a stable investment environment and excellent talent, it is also an important member of the Southern African Customs Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area. In the future, Taiwan will promote the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" in Eswatini to assist Taiwanese businesses in global expansion and connect with the African market, creating more employment opportunities for the local area and building a solid and mutually beneficial strategic partnership to promote national prosperity and development.
She stated that the third is "digital co-prosperity." Taiwan is a crucial node in the global technology supply chain, possessing world-leading semiconductor and ICT capabilities. Based on this foundation, Taiwan will assist Eswatini in introducing smart medical and remote medical systems, overcoming geographical limitations, narrowing the digital divide, and safeguarding the health of the people in its 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 members include Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chiang Wen-jo, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Lee Wen, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, and media. This trip did not invite cross-party legislators.
Regarding whether the flight will pass over the Middle East, Wu Chih-chung said it would not fly over the Middle East, but directly to the Kingdom of Eswatini. This trip is a direct flight without transit, adhering to principles of comfort, safety, dignity, and convenience.
Wu Chih-chung stated that President Lai will meet with King Mswati III, hold bilateral talks, sign a joint communiqué with King Mswati III, witness the signing of a "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement" by the foreign ministers of both countries, and visit the Queen Mother. In addition, President Lai will listen to briefings on the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" and "Strategic Oil Storage Tanks," and witness the signing of letters of intent for investment by Taiwanese businesses; inspect the "Smart Medical Outpatient Clinic" of the medical mission in Eswatini; and attend the achievements of the "Women's Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund."
He said that the delegation will also attend the dual celebrations of King Mswati III's 40th enthronement anniversary and 58th birthday, as well as the Eswatini state banquet, the opening ceremony of the Eswatini International Convention Center, and a garden party. In addition, they will host a banquet for overseas Taiwanese and compatriots in Southern Africa. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150413
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 King Mswati III's 40th enthronement anniversary and his 58th birthday, Eswatini will hold a series of celebratory events from April 24 to April 26.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that King Mswati III was invited to Taiwan in 2024 to attend President Lai's inauguration ceremony. In addition, this year, King Mswati III sincerely invited President Lai to attend relevant celebrations during Eswatini's important moments via a personally signed letter. To actively and positively respond to King Mswati III's warm invitation, and to demonstrate the importance Taiwan places on its diplomatic allies, continuously deepening the close and friendly partnership between the two countries, and hoping to inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation based on existing foundations, President Lai therefore decided to lead a delegation to visit Eswatini from April 22 to April 27.
She said that the theme of this visit is "Taiwan-Eswatini Celebrate Together, Prosper Hand in Hand," symbolizing the two countries celebrating together at a critical historical moment, highlighting both sides' continued cooperation to deepen prosperity and create common well-being for the people of both nations.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that President Lai expects to achieve three co-prosperity goals during this trip. The first is "security co-prosperity." Taiwan and Eswatini have accumulated concrete and fruitful results in agriculture, public health education, women's empowerment, and renewable energy. In the future, they will further cooperate to build strategic oil storage tanks to enhance Eswatini's energy security and promote the country's sustainable development.
She said that the second co-prosperity is "economic co-prosperity." Eswatini is an important ally of Taiwan in Africa. In addition to having a stable investment environment and excellent talent, it is also an important member of the Southern African Customs Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area. In the future, Taiwan will promote the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" in Eswatini to assist Taiwanese businesses in global expansion and connect with the African market, creating more employment opportunities for the local area and building a solid and mutually beneficial strategic partnership to promote national prosperity and development.
She stated that the third is "digital co-prosperity." Taiwan is a crucial node in the global technology supply chain, possessing world-leading semiconductor and ICT capabilities. Based on this foundation, Taiwan will assist Eswatini in introducing smart medical and remote medical systems, overcoming geographical limitations, narrowing the digital divide, and safeguarding the health of the people in its 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 members include Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, Overseas Community Affairs Council Minister Hsu Chia-ching, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chiang Wen-jo, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Lee Wen, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, and media. This trip did not invite cross-party legislators.
Regarding whether the flight will pass over the Middle East, Wu Chih-chung said it would not fly over the Middle East, but directly to the Kingdom of Eswatini. This trip is a direct flight without transit, adhering to principles of comfort, safety, dignity, and convenience.
Wu Chih-chung stated that President Lai will meet with King Mswati III, hold bilateral talks, sign a joint communiqué with King Mswati III, witness the signing of a "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement" by the foreign ministers of both countries, and visit the Queen Mother. In addition, President Lai will listen to briefings on the "Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park" and "Strategic Oil Storage Tanks," and witness the signing of letters of intent for investment by Taiwanese businesses; inspect the "Smart Medical Outpatient Clinic" of the medical mission in Eswatini; and attend the achievements of the "Women's Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund."
He said that the delegation will also attend the dual celebrations of King Mswati III's 40th enthronement anniversary and 58th birthday, as well as the Eswatini state banquet, the opening ceremony of the Eswatini International Convention Center, and a garden party. In addition, they will host a banquet for overseas Taiwanese and compatriots in Southern Africa. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150413
FAQ
When will President Lai visit Eswatini?
President Lai Ching-te will visit Eswatini from April 22 to 27.
What are the main goals of this visit?
The visit aims to achieve three co-prosperity goals: security, economic, and digital co-prosperity.