Foreign Affairs Official: External obstruction failed to break ties, instead strengthening Taiwan-Eswatini friendship
President Lai Ching-te's successful visit to Eswatini reaffirms Taiwan's strong ties with allies and its resolve to contribute internationally, despite external interference. The visit institutionalized bilateral cooperation.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 19:01
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 19:31 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 5, 2026 at 21:27 (1h 56m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei 5th) President Lai Ching-te successfully completed his visit to Eswatini. Foreign affairs officials analyzed three important meanings: proving that external obstruction cannot sever the deep friendship between Taiwan and its allies; advancing the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini into institutionalized cooperation through head-of-state interactions, joint communiqués, and agreement signings; and conveying to the international community, through concrete actions, that Taiwan has the right to engage with the world and the determination to continue cooperating with allies to contribute to the international community.
President Lai's visit to Eswatini was originally scheduled for April 22, but the itinerary was temporarily postponed due to the cancellation of flight permits by three African countries. Subsequently, President Lai successfully arrived in Eswatini on the King's special plane for a state visit, which concluded today, and he has returned to Taiwan.
It is understood that King Mswati III of Eswatini highly valued and greatly assisted in the successful completion of the President's trip. In terms of transportation arrangements, both sides adhered to three principles: conforming to international flight practices, safety, and comfort, ensuring the smooth execution of the entire itinerary.
Foreign affairs officials pointed out that this was not merely a technical transportation arrangement, but also represented Eswatini's respect for the visit of Taiwan's head of state and its firm support for Taiwan-Eswatini diplomatic relations.
Foreign affairs officials said that this visit yielded fruitful results. Firstly, President Lai received King Mswati III's firm commitment that the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini would be eternal and unaffected by external forces; Eswatini also expressed willingness to continue speaking out for Taiwan in the international arena. For Taiwan, this is not just diplomatic support but also the most important moral solidarity when facing international political pressure.
Secondly, foreign affairs officials stated that President Lai and King Mswati III jointly signed a joint communiqué and witnessed the foreign ministers of the two countries signing a customs mutual assistance agreement. The joint communiqué represents the joint confirmation of future cooperation directions by the two heads of state, while the customs agreement helps strengthen economic and trade exchanges, improve customs clearance efficiency, and deepen bilateral cooperation benefits. In other words, this trip was not merely a ceremonial visit but transformed political mutual trust into concrete cooperation.
Foreign affairs officials said, thirdly, President Lai successfully invited King Mswati III and the Queen Mother to visit Taiwan in the future, continuing the tradition of high-level mutual visits between the two sides. Foreign affairs officials described the Taiwan-Eswatini relationship as not just diplomatic ties, but more like a family, with long-term mutual trust and support. After this visit, the friendship between the two sides was not damaged by external interference; instead, it became even closer. The successful completion of this state visit itself is the most powerful response to external obstruction.
Initially, there was public concern whether previous interferences would affect Taiwan's pace of engaging with the world. Foreign affairs officials said that the results proved that China's pressure did not undermine Taiwan-Eswatini diplomatic relations; instead, it allowed the two countries to more clearly demonstrate unity and made the international community more aware of Taiwan's situation and will.
Foreign affairs officials said that, overall, this visit once again sent a clear message to the international community: Taiwan is Taiwan of the world, Taiwan has the right to step into the world, and Taiwan is determined to continue engaging with the world. Facing external pressure, Taiwan will not back down; facing international responsibilities, Taiwan will not be absent. In the future, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded allies, deepen diplomatic ties, expand exchanges, and contribute more to the international community through the power of democracy, development, and mutual assistance. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei 5th) President Lai Ching-te successfully completed his visit to Eswatini. Foreign affairs officials analyzed three important meanings: proving that external obstruction cannot sever the deep friendship between Taiwan and its allies; advancing the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini into institutionalized cooperation through head-of-state interactions, joint communiqués, and agreement signings; and conveying to the international community, through concrete actions, that Taiwan has the right to engage with the world and the determination to continue cooperating with allies to contribute to the international community.
President Lai's visit to Eswatini was originally scheduled for April 22, but the itinerary was temporarily postponed due to the cancellation of flight permits by three African countries. Subsequently, President Lai successfully arrived in Eswatini on the King's special plane for a state visit, which concluded today, and he has returned to Taiwan.
It is understood that King Mswati III of Eswatini highly valued and greatly assisted in the successful completion of the President's trip. In terms of transportation arrangements, both sides adhered to three principles: conforming to international flight practices, safety, and comfort, ensuring the smooth execution of the entire itinerary.
Foreign affairs officials pointed out that this was not merely a technical transportation arrangement, but also represented Eswatini's respect for the visit of Taiwan's head of state and its firm support for Taiwan-Eswatini diplomatic relations.
Foreign affairs officials said that this visit yielded fruitful results. Firstly, President Lai received King Mswati III's firm commitment that the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini would be eternal and unaffected by external forces; Eswatini also expressed willingness to continue speaking out for Taiwan in the international arena. For Taiwan, this is not just diplomatic support but also the most important moral solidarity when facing international political pressure.
Secondly, foreign affairs officials stated that President Lai and King Mswati III jointly signed a joint communiqué and witnessed the foreign ministers of the two countries signing a customs mutual assistance agreement. The joint communiqué represents the joint confirmation of future cooperation directions by the two heads of state, while the customs agreement helps strengthen economic and trade exchanges, improve customs clearance efficiency, and deepen bilateral cooperation benefits. In other words, this trip was not merely a ceremonial visit but transformed political mutual trust into concrete cooperation.
Foreign affairs officials said, thirdly, President Lai successfully invited King Mswati III and the Queen Mother to visit Taiwan in the future, continuing the tradition of high-level mutual visits between the two sides. Foreign affairs officials described the Taiwan-Eswatini relationship as not just diplomatic ties, but more like a family, with long-term mutual trust and support. After this visit, the friendship between the two sides was not damaged by external interference; instead, it became even closer. The successful completion of this state visit itself is the most powerful response to external obstruction.
Initially, there was public concern whether previous interferences would affect Taiwan's pace of engaging with the world. Foreign affairs officials said that the results proved that China's pressure did not undermine Taiwan-Eswatini diplomatic relations; instead, it allowed the two countries to more clearly demonstrate unity and made the international community more aware of Taiwan's situation and will.
Foreign affairs officials said that, overall, this visit once again sent a clear message to the international community: Taiwan is Taiwan of the world, Taiwan has the right to step into the world, and Taiwan is determined to continue engaging with the world. Facing external pressure, Taiwan will not back down; facing international responsibilities, Taiwan will not be absent. In the future, Taiwan will continue to cooperate with like-minded allies, deepen diplomatic ties, expand exchanges, and contribute more to the international community through the power of democracy, development, and mutual assistance. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150505
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.