King Mswati III visits Taiwan for National Day celebrations

King Mswati III of Eswatini has arrived in Taiwan to attend the nation’s 115th National Day celebrations, also known as Double Ten Day. This visit marks the King’s first trip to Taiwan in over two years and highlights the 58-year diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only formal diplomatic ally on the African continent.

During a state banquet hosted by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, King Mswati III praised Taiwan’s contributions to Eswatini, specifically citing advancements in education, agriculture, healthcare, and rural electrification. He noted that the partnership has provided practical benefits to citizens, including improved agricultural techniques for farmers and increased access to electricity for rural households.

The bilateral relationship has increasingly focused on economic and technological cooperation, including digital commerce, financial cooperation, and industrial development. The King also acknowledged Taiwan’s progress in semiconductor manufacturing, smart agriculture, and public health.