Taiwan, Eswatini sign three MOUs including sister-city pact

2023-09-06

President Tsai Ing-wen has arrived in Eswatini, Taiwan’s one remaining African ally. Shortly after landing, her delegation signed three cooperation deals with the south African country. One agreement forged a sister-city relationship between Kaohsiung and Eswatini’s capital. In another deal, Taiwan committed to providing support for Eswatini’s female entrepreneurs. During the signing ceremony, Eswatini’s king said he considered Taiwan a home away from home. Tsai is on a four-day state visit to celebrate 55 years of friendship between the two countries.

Upon arriving in Eswatini, President Tsai Ing-wen was welcomed by the nation’s prime minister, Cleopas Dlamini, and a traditional dance ceremony. Taiwanese expats flocked to shake her hand, but Tsai didn’t stay long, as she had a full schedule ahead.

Lynne Chen
FTV reporter
After President Tsai got off her plane, she went directly to Eswatini’s palace for the signing of three cooperation deals.

Taiwan and Eswatini signed agreements, including a sister-city pact between Kaohsiung and Eswatini’s capital, Mbabane. Another deal focused on microloans for female entrepreneurs. In his remarks at the signing, King Mswati III conveyed a warm welcome to Taiwan’s president.

King Mswati III
King of Eswatini
We have great relationship and it continues to grow. When I visited Taiwan, I’ve been there now, I don’t know, it’s countless, because Taiwan is also my home.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
Your majesty, Mswati the Third, the king. The first two celebrations of course are about the founding of Eswatini 55 years ago, and the second one is of course the king’s birthday, so happy birthday to you.

Later at a banquet with Taiwanese expats, Tsai announced upcoming changes to her “Africa plan.”

Tsai Ing-wen
President
We will revise the “Africa plan” when we return. If I’m unable to finish the task, I will pass it along to the next president. Then I’ll tell everyone, the “Africa plan” is already in the hands of the next president, you can go after him. Maybe we can even manage it so that the next time a Taiwan president comes, he’ll not only be able to visit Eswatini, but other places as well.

During her remarks, Tsai was joined onstage by Eswatini’s chief aide-de-camp to the president and top police and military officers, in a sign of respect. Taiwan expats drove as long as nine hours from other African nations to hear her speak and show support for their homeland.

台史簽署三項合作文件史王:台灣也是我的家

2023-09-06

總統蔡英文抵達非洲友邦史瓦帝尼，和史王一起見證，三項合作文件簽署，史王還大喊台灣也是他的家，而總統在僑宴上宣布，將修改非洲計畫，希望未來元首出訪非洲，不只到史瓦帝尼，還能到其他國家。

總統蔡英文抵達史瓦帝尼，不只由史國總理戴克里接機，更以傳統舞蹈儀式歡迎，僑胞們也熱情跟總統握手，但總統沒辦法多留，因為行程滿檔。

[[民視記者陳妍伶]]
“蔡總統下機之後，馬不停蹄，來到史瓦帝尼皇宮，見證三項合作文件簽署”

這回台史總共簽署三項合作文件，包括高雄市與史國首都姆巴巴內市締結姐妹市、婦女創業小額信貸等等，史王致詞時，也特別歡迎總統到來。

[[史瓦帝尼國王恩史瓦帝三世]]
“我們之間關係良好，而且持續強化，而且我造訪台灣次數已經多到數不清，因為台灣也是我的家”

[[總統蔡英文]]
“尊敬的恩史瓦帝國王，第一個要慶祝的當然是史瓦帝尼王國建立55週年，第二個是國王的生日，所以祝你生日快樂”

接著在僑宴上，蔡總統宣佈將修改非洲計劃。

[[總統蔡英文]]
“我們回去就修改非洲計劃，那我要是沒做完的話，我一定會把它交接給下一個總統，然後我會告訴大家說，計劃已經在下個總統那裡，你們去追他好了，說不定我們可以做到，下次台灣總統來，不會只到史瓦帝尼，還可以到其他地方去”

總統致詞時，史瓦帝尼的侍衛長、軍警代表，也特別站在她身旁，表示尊敬。還有僑胞從賴索托等其他非洲國家開9個小時的車前來參加，用行動展現對台灣的支持。