President Lai Meets Eswatini King's Special Envoy: Taiwan and Eswatini Will Not Yield to Hegemony
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te met with Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, the special envoy of the King of Eswatini, emphasizing the strong relationship between Taiwan and Eswatini that will not yield to pressure from China. Although President Lai's visit to Eswatini was postponed due to external influences, both sides reaffirmed their unwavering friendship.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 18:53
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 19:02 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 08:01 (12h 59m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 30th) President Lai Ching-te today met with Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, the special envoy of the King of Eswatini. He thanked Eswatini for supporting Taiwan with actions by appointing Dladla as a special envoy to visit Taiwan. This concrete action conveyed a clear message to the international community: "The diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini will not be shaken by China's suppression, and neither country will yield to hegemony because of it."
The Presidential Office issued a press release stating that President Lai met with Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, the special envoy of the King of Eswatini, this afternoon.
In his speech, President Lai first welcomed Dladla, an important political leader of the Kingdom of Eswatini and an old friend of Taiwan, who visited Taiwan as the King's special envoy. He asked the special envoy to convey his highest respect and blessings to King Mswati III.
President Lai pointed out that he had originally looked forward to personally leading a delegation to visit Eswatini, but due to external influences, some countries temporarily canceled charter flight permits. Based on national security and flight safety considerations, the visit was decided to be postponed. He reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state and a Taiwan of the world. The people of Taiwan have the right to go global and the right to deepen exchanges and cooperation with allies and like-minded partners.
The President said that the challenges encountered this time have further united the hearts of Taiwan and Eswatini. He thanked King Mswati III for his immediate assistance and support to Taiwan and for immediately appointing Dladla as a special envoy to visit Taiwan. This concrete action conveyed a clear message to the international community: "The diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini will not be shaken by China's suppression, and neither country will yield to hegemony because of it."
The President once again thanked the Eswatini government for its long-term strong support for Taiwan's international participation. Regardless of the pressure, Eswatini has firmly spoken out for Taiwan in international forums such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. He also congratulated King Mswati III on his 58th birthday and 40th anniversary of his enthronement, and also celebrated the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and Eswatini, and sincerely invited the King to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan again.
Dladla stated in her speech that, as President Lai mentioned, it once again confirms the solid and pure bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the Kingdom of Eswatini. This time, as the special envoy of King Mswati III, she came to Taiwan as quickly as possible to convey the King's sincere gratitude for President Lai's appointment of Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to Eswatini to attend the celebration.
Dladla conveyed the King's message, expressing deep regret for the incident encountered by both countries that led to President Lai's inability to attend the Eswatini celebration, an incident that also attracted international attention. Although President Lai could not attend in person, he still appointed Lin Chia-lung as a special envoy, adding significant meaning to the celebration. She emphasized that the diplomatic ties between the two countries have been elevated from diplomatic relations to a new stage; the two countries are not just allies, but exist like family. No matter how powerful the force, it cannot destroy this 58-year-long family-like friendship; no one can intervene and shake this solid family. The two countries should not dwell on the past but look to the future and consolidate this friendship with strong power.
Dladla also conveyed that King Mswati III sincerely invited President Lai to visit Eswatini at an appropriate time, even if facing various challenges, to show the world the freedom and independence of airspace and the belief and confidence of the entire Africa in international law. She emphasized that Eswatini always regards Taiwan as family, and welcomes the President and the people of Taiwan to visit and see their family day or night. (Editor: Su Chih-chung) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, 30th) President Lai Ching-te today met with Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, the special envoy of the King of Eswatini. He thanked Eswatini for supporting Taiwan with actions by appointing Dladla as a special envoy to visit Taiwan. This concrete action conveyed a clear message to the international community: "The diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini will not be shaken by China's suppression, and neither country will yield to hegemony because of it."
The Presidential Office issued a press release stating that President Lai met with Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, the special envoy of the King of Eswatini, this afternoon.
In his speech, President Lai first welcomed Dladla, an important political leader of the Kingdom of Eswatini and an old friend of Taiwan, who visited Taiwan as the King's special envoy. He asked the special envoy to convey his highest respect and blessings to King Mswati III.
President Lai pointed out that he had originally looked forward to personally leading a delegation to visit Eswatini, but due to external influences, some countries temporarily canceled charter flight permits. Based on national security and flight safety considerations, the visit was decided to be postponed. He reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state and a Taiwan of the world. The people of Taiwan have the right to go global and the right to deepen exchanges and cooperation with allies and like-minded partners.
The President said that the challenges encountered this time have further united the hearts of Taiwan and Eswatini. He thanked King Mswati III for his immediate assistance and support to Taiwan and for immediately appointing Dladla as a special envoy to visit Taiwan. This concrete action conveyed a clear message to the international community: "The diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini will not be shaken by China's suppression, and neither country will yield to hegemony because of it."
The President once again thanked the Eswatini government for its long-term strong support for Taiwan's international participation. Regardless of the pressure, Eswatini has firmly spoken out for Taiwan in international forums such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. He also congratulated King Mswati III on his 58th birthday and 40th anniversary of his enthronement, and also celebrated the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and Eswatini, and sincerely invited the King to lead a delegation to visit Taiwan again.
Dladla stated in her speech that, as President Lai mentioned, it once again confirms the solid and pure bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the Kingdom of Eswatini. This time, as the special envoy of King Mswati III, she came to Taiwan as quickly as possible to convey the King's sincere gratitude for President Lai's appointment of Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to Eswatini to attend the celebration.
Dladla conveyed the King's message, expressing deep regret for the incident encountered by both countries that led to President Lai's inability to attend the Eswatini celebration, an incident that also attracted international attention. Although President Lai could not attend in person, he still appointed Lin Chia-lung as a special envoy, adding significant meaning to the celebration. She emphasized that the diplomatic ties between the two countries have been elevated from diplomatic relations to a new stage; the two countries are not just allies, but exist like family. No matter how powerful the force, it cannot destroy this 58-year-long family-like friendship; no one can intervene and shake this solid family. The two countries should not dwell on the past but look to the future and consolidate this friendship with strong power.
Dladla also conveyed that King Mswati III sincerely invited President Lai to visit Eswatini at an appropriate time, even if facing various challenges, to show the world the freedom and independence of airspace and the belief and confidence of the entire Africa in international law. She emphasized that Eswatini always regards Taiwan as family, and welcomes the President and the people of Taiwan to visit and see their family day or night. (Editor: Su Chih-chung) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.