Date： 2023-09-05
President Tsai Ing-Wen will lead a delegation to visit Kingdom of Eswatini from September 5 to 8, 2023 to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the independence and establishment of diplomatic relations between Eswatini and Taiwan. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai will accompany the President on the visit, representing Kaohsiung to sign a Sister City Agreement with the capital of Eswatini, Mbabane. This agreement aims to promote substantive cooperation and exchanges between the two cities in the fields of education, culture, youth, smart cities, smart agriculture, public health, and urban exchanges, deepening the friendship between the two countries.
Eswatini is an important ally of our country, and deepening cooperation between the two nations is crucial. Kaohsiung and the capital of Eswatini, Mbabane, have assessed the potential for cooperation in promoting bilingual education, teacher training and youth exchanges. Furthermore, Kaohsiung has made remarkable progress in building smart cities and implementing smart agriculture in recent years. The relevant experiences can be further shared with diplomatic allies, fostering closer cooperation opportunities and strengthening the connection between Kaohsiung and the international community.
Director-General Chang Yen-Ching of Department of Administrative and International Affairs stated that the Kaohsiung City Government spares no effort in promoting urban diplomacy, striving together for Taiwan's diplomatic endeavors. This visit aims to sign a sister city agreement with Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, which is poised to become Kaohsiung's 38th sister, friendly and partner city. The two cities will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as education, culture, youth, smart cities, smart agriculture, and public health in the future.
President Tsai and her delegation will visit the ally country of Eswatini from September 5 to September 8, 2023. On September 5, the delegation will depart from Taoyuan International Airport on a chartered flight to Eswatini. President Tsai will hold bilateral talks with King Mswati III of Eswatini and witness the signing of cooperation agreements. In the evening, the delegation will attend a banquet hosted by the southern Africa Taiwanese community. On September 6, President Tsai will participate in the 55th Independence Day celebrations of Eswatini and visit the Mbabane government hospital building. She will also attend a state banquet hosted by King Mswati III. In the morning of September 7, she will join a media tea gathering, a meeting with H.M. Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala, and a visit to the Women's Project Achievements Exhibition organized by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF). President Tsai will also have lunch with TaiwanICDF’s technical and medical teams before boarding a chartered flight back home. The return to Taiwan is scheduled for September 8.