President Lai: Taiwan Steadily Moves Towards International Arena, Invites King of Eswatini to Revisit Taiwan
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini, participated in a military ceremony, held bilateral talks, witnessed the signing of a 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement,' and issued a joint communiqué. He emphasized Taiwan's right to contribute to the world as a sovereign nation and invited the King to revisit Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 11:25
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 3) President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini. After participating in the military ceremony, he held bilateral talks with King Mswati III, witnessed the signing of the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini,' and signed a joint communiqué. He stated that no country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena, and he also invited the King of Eswatini to revisit Taiwan.
The Presidential Office issued a press release stating that President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini. At 2 p.m. local time (Taipei time, evening of the same day), he went to the Mandvulo International Convention Centre. After participating in the military ceremony, he held bilateral talks with King Mswati III, witnessed the signing of the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini,' and signed a joint communiqué.
President Lai stated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation, a Taiwan of the world. No country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena. He hopes that Taiwan and Eswatini will support each other, allowing their diplomatic ties to deepen and endure.
Upon arrival, the President shook hands and exchanged greetings with King Mswati III, then ascended the ceremonial platform together. After the national anthems of both countries were played, they jointly reviewed Eswatini's honor guard and introduced officials from both sides. A gun salute was fired, and Eswatini's traditional dance was performed to welcome President Lai. After the ceremony, the President held talks with King Mswati III, and the two sides exchanged extensive views on issues such as health and medical care, bilateral relations, women's empowerment, and economic and trade cooperation.
After the talks, the President and King Mswati III jointly witnessed Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu sign the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.' Subsequently, the two heads of state signed a joint communiqué, reaffirming their profound friendship, mutual trust, and common values, and continuing to deepen bilateral relations in pursuit of a common vision of peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity.
In his speech, the President first sincerely thanked King Mswati III for his gracious invitation and full assistance. He was honored to lead a delegation on a state visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Although it was a few days late for the official celebration, the delegation's sincerity was not diminished at all. He represented the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to extend his sincerest wishes, wishing the King a happy 58th birthday and a long life; he also congratulated the King on his 40th anniversary of ascension to the throne, wishing the Kingdom of Eswatini prosperity and the King good health. This year also marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, wishing their diplomatic ties to be everlasting, and the cooperation and friendship between their peoples to grow stronger.
The President also thanked the King and officials of the Kingdom of Eswatini government for warmly welcoming his special envoy, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's congratulatory delegation, last week. Today, they welcomed his delegation with a grand lineup.
The President pointed out that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation, a Taiwan of the world. The 23 million Taiwanese people have the right to go out into the world, and no country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena. He thanked King Mswati III for leading the Kingdom of Eswatini to stand with Taiwan for a long time and speak out for Taiwan internationally.
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758
Full text of the resolution:
General Assembly resolution
2758 (XXVI). Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations
The General Assembly,
Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential for the maintenance of the Charter of the United Nations and the cause that the United Nations Organization must pursue in accordance with the Charter,
Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations Organization and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,
Decides: to restore to the People's Republic of China all its rights and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations Organization, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations Organization and in all the bodies affiliated to it.
October 25, 1971, 1976th plenary meeting
Source: United Nations
President Lai stated that King Mswati III is a visionary, brave, wise, and benevolent king, and he was very happy to become a good friend. He represented the people of Taiwan in sincerely inviting the King to revisit Taiwan, allowing their diplomatic ties to deepen and endure. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150503
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 3) President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini. After participating in the military ceremony, he held bilateral talks with King Mswati III, witnessed the signing of the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini,' and signed a joint communiqué. He stated that no country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena, and he also invited the King of Eswatini to revisit Taiwan.
The Presidential Office issued a press release stating that President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini. At 2 p.m. local time (Taipei time, evening of the same day), he went to the Mandvulo International Convention Centre. After participating in the military ceremony, he held bilateral talks with King Mswati III, witnessed the signing of the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini,' and signed a joint communiqué.
President Lai stated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation, a Taiwan of the world. No country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena. He hopes that Taiwan and Eswatini will support each other, allowing their diplomatic ties to deepen and endure.
Upon arrival, the President shook hands and exchanged greetings with King Mswati III, then ascended the ceremonial platform together. After the national anthems of both countries were played, they jointly reviewed Eswatini's honor guard and introduced officials from both sides. A gun salute was fired, and Eswatini's traditional dance was performed to welcome President Lai. After the ceremony, the President held talks with King Mswati III, and the two sides exchanged extensive views on issues such as health and medical care, bilateral relations, women's empowerment, and economic and trade cooperation.
After the talks, the President and King Mswati III jointly witnessed Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung and Eswatini Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu sign the 'Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.' Subsequently, the two heads of state signed a joint communiqué, reaffirming their profound friendship, mutual trust, and common values, and continuing to deepen bilateral relations in pursuit of a common vision of peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity.
In his speech, the President first sincerely thanked King Mswati III for his gracious invitation and full assistance. He was honored to lead a delegation on a state visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Although it was a few days late for the official celebration, the delegation's sincerity was not diminished at all. He represented the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to extend his sincerest wishes, wishing the King a happy 58th birthday and a long life; he also congratulated the King on his 40th anniversary of ascension to the throne, wishing the Kingdom of Eswatini prosperity and the King good health. This year also marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, wishing their diplomatic ties to be everlasting, and the cooperation and friendship between their peoples to grow stronger.
The President also thanked the King and officials of the Kingdom of Eswatini government for warmly welcoming his special envoy, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung's congratulatory delegation, last week. Today, they welcomed his delegation with a grand lineup.
The President pointed out that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation, a Taiwan of the world. The 23 million Taiwanese people have the right to go out into the world, and no country has the right, nor should it, hinder Taiwan from making contributions to the world. Taiwan will continue to strengthen its capabilities and steadily move towards the international arena. He thanked King Mswati III for leading the Kingdom of Eswatini to stand with Taiwan for a long time and speak out for Taiwan internationally.
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758
Full text of the resolution:
General Assembly resolution
2758 (XXVI). Restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations
The General Assembly,
Recalling the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Considering that the restoration of the lawful rights of the People's Republic of China is essential for the maintenance of the Charter of the United Nations and the cause that the United Nations Organization must pursue in accordance with the Charter,
Recognizing that the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China are the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations Organization and that the People's Republic of China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council,
Decides: to restore to the People's Republic of China all its rights and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only lawful representatives of China to the United Nations Organization, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations Organization and in all the bodies affiliated to it.
October 25, 1971, 1976th plenary meeting
Source: United Nations
President Lai stated that King Mswati III is a visionary, brave, wise, and benevolent king, and he was very happy to become a good friend. He represented the people of Taiwan in sincerely inviting the King to revisit Taiwan, allowing their diplomatic ties to deepen and endure. (Edited by Su Chih-tsung) 1150503
Choose to stand with facts. Your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to get the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.