Firmly Towards the World: President Lai Arrives in the Kingdom of Eswatini for a State Visit
President Lai Ching-te has arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini for a state visit, emphasizing "safe coexistence and co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity" as key themes to deepen bilateral ties and uphold the rules-based international order. The visit, which proceeded after a temporary suspension due to external factors, demonstrates Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 21:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 2, 2026 at 22:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 2, 2026 at 22:04 (3 min after Collected)
CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY
(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-Hsiang, Taipei, 2nd) President Lai Ching-te arrived in the African diplomatic ally Eswatini today to commence a state visit. The Presidential Office stated that although the itinerary was once temporarily suspended due to external factors, it does not affect Taiwan's determination to go global. This visit will focus on three major axes: safe coexistence and co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity, to deepen the friendly relations between Taiwan and Eswatini and jointly uphold the rules-based international order.
The Presidential Office issued a press release in the evening, stating that at the sincere invitation of His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, President Lai commenced a state visit to Eswatini starting today. The delegation successfully arrived in Eswatini at 9:00 AM local time on the 2nd.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-Hui pointed out that although the itinerary was once temporarily suspended due to unwarranted external factors, this does not affect Taiwan's will to go global, nor will Taiwan be absent from the world. Taiwan and Eswatini are firm allies who have walked through thick and thin together. This delegation's visit will focus on three core objectives: safe coexistence and co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity, to advance side by side with Eswatini on the path of mutual benefit and prosperity, deepening the friendship and well-being of the people of both nations.
In view of the uncertain risks to the head of state's safety and flight safety brought by similar incidents recently, Kuo Ya-Hui stated that after comprehensive evaluation by the national security team and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this presidential itinerary adheres to the principles of national dignity, international norms, and flight safety, ensuring the successful completion of the national diplomatic mission and the most comprehensive protection of the president and delegation members' safety. Based on the tacit understanding with like-minded friendly parties regarding security planning and cooperation during the visit, some details involving security planning will be explained at an appropriate time after the visit concludes.
She pointed out that the Taiwanese government and people also express their sincere gratitude for the full assistance provided by the King of Eswatini and his government team in arranging this visit.
Kuo Ya-Hui stated that engaging with people from all over the world is an inalienable natural right of Taiwan's 23 million people. The activation of this visit after a temporary disruption by external forces precisely demonstrates the determination and will of Taiwanese people to go global, and it is also the fundamental right of the Republic of China to act as a member of the international community.
She pointed out that Taiwan follows various rules-based international norms and is committed to mutual benefit and co-prosperity in the international community. This visit is a concrete manifestation of Taiwan's joint efforts with all like-minded countries to uphold the international order.
Kuo Ya-Hui stated that upon the delegation's arrival in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Liang Hung-Sheng, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Khandlela Mdluli, Grand Chamberlain of the Eswatini Royal Household, boarded the plane to welcome the President. Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu greeted the President at the aircraft steps and accompanied him past the honor guard. The President also cordially greeted and extended his regards to the staff and their families from the embassy and technical mission who came to welcome him.
The Presidential Office stated that President Lai will later hold bilateral talks with the King, jointly witnessing the signing ceremony of the "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini" and signing a joint communiqué.
Delegation members include Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-An, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, National Security Council Advisor Huang Chung-Yen, and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Chao Yi-Hsiang. (Editor: Lin Ke-Lun) 1150502
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(Central News Agency reporter Wen Kuei-Hsiang, Taipei, 2nd) President Lai Ching-te arrived in the African diplomatic ally Eswatini today to commence a state visit. The Presidential Office stated that although the itinerary was once temporarily suspended due to external factors, it does not affect Taiwan's determination to go global. This visit will focus on three major axes: safe coexistence and co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity, to deepen the friendly relations between Taiwan and Eswatini and jointly uphold the rules-based international order.
The Presidential Office issued a press release in the evening, stating that at the sincere invitation of His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, President Lai commenced a state visit to Eswatini starting today. The delegation successfully arrived in Eswatini at 9:00 AM local time on the 2nd.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-Hui pointed out that although the itinerary was once temporarily suspended due to unwarranted external factors, this does not affect Taiwan's will to go global, nor will Taiwan be absent from the world. Taiwan and Eswatini are firm allies who have walked through thick and thin together. This delegation's visit will focus on three core objectives: safe coexistence and co-prosperity, economic co-prosperity, and digital co-prosperity, to advance side by side with Eswatini on the path of mutual benefit and prosperity, deepening the friendship and well-being of the people of both nations.
In view of the uncertain risks to the head of state's safety and flight safety brought by similar incidents recently, Kuo Ya-Hui stated that after comprehensive evaluation by the national security team and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this presidential itinerary adheres to the principles of national dignity, international norms, and flight safety, ensuring the successful completion of the national diplomatic mission and the most comprehensive protection of the president and delegation members' safety. Based on the tacit understanding with like-minded friendly parties regarding security planning and cooperation during the visit, some details involving security planning will be explained at an appropriate time after the visit concludes.
She pointed out that the Taiwanese government and people also express their sincere gratitude for the full assistance provided by the King of Eswatini and his government team in arranging this visit.
Kuo Ya-Hui stated that engaging with people from all over the world is an inalienable natural right of Taiwan's 23 million people. The activation of this visit after a temporary disruption by external forces precisely demonstrates the determination and will of Taiwanese people to go global, and it is also the fundamental right of the Republic of China to act as a member of the international community.
She pointed out that Taiwan follows various rules-based international norms and is committed to mutual benefit and co-prosperity in the international community. This visit is a concrete manifestation of Taiwan's joint efforts with all like-minded countries to uphold the international order.
Kuo Ya-Hui stated that upon the delegation's arrival in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Liang Hung-Sheng, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Khandlela Mdluli, Grand Chamberlain of the Eswatini Royal Household, boarded the plane to welcome the President. Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu greeted the President at the aircraft steps and accompanied him past the honor guard. The President also cordially greeted and extended his regards to the staff and their families from the embassy and technical mission who came to welcome him.
The Presidential Office stated that President Lai will later hold bilateral talks with the King, jointly witnessing the signing ceremony of the "Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini" and signing a joint communiqué.
Delegation members include Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-An, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, National Security Council Advisor Huang Chung-Yen, and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council Chao Yi-Hsiang. (Editor: Lin Ke-Lun) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.