President Lai receives credentials from new Eswatini Ambassador Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene  

On the afternoon of October 5, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Vulindlela Simphiwe Kunene. In remarks, President Lai welcomed Ambassador Kunene to his new post and expressed hope that his expertise and experience will serve to further deepen the two nations’ diplomatic friendship and lead to more diversified development. President Lai noted that under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan will continue to work with Eswatini on major initiatives such as the Taiwan Industrial Innovation Park (TIIP), while deepening partnerships in agriculture, healthcare, education, the economy and trade, and technology to further enhance the well-being of the peoples of both nations.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

It is a great pleasure to receive the credentials of Ambassador Kunene here at the Presidential Office. On behalf of the Republic of China government and the people of Taiwan, I extend my heartfelt welcome as you assume your new post. This year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Eswatini. Our friendship has stood the test of time, remaining strong despite changes across the international landscape. Though many miles apart, we enjoy close ties built upon an enduring sincerity. When faced with challenges, we have always stood firmly together.

This past May, I led a delegation to Eswatini for a state visit and was received warmly by His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, and the government of Eswatini. For this, I once again extend my sincerest gratitude. I very much look forward to His Majesty’s upcoming visit to Taiwan, which will further deepen our exchanges and create new momentum for bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Kunene, you have expressed the hope that, during your tenure, you will elevate Taiwan-Eswatini relations to new heights. Having served for many years in Eswatini’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and having been posted to the United Nations and acted as chargé d’affaires in South Africa, you have accumulated a wealth of expertise and experience. I am certain that this will serve to deepen our diplomatic friendship as our collaboration continues to diversify.

Under the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project, Taiwan will continue to work with Eswatini to advance important projects such as the TIIP. This will help cultivate talent, advance industrial development capacity, and create even more opportunities for employment and investment. We will also continue to bolster our bilateral partnership in such areas as agriculture, healthcare, education, the economy and trade, and technology, enabling our peoples to deepen their friendship and share in the fruits of our cooperation.

As we face a rapidly evolving international landscape and a host of global challenges, Taiwan hopes to continue to work alongside Eswatini so that we may support one another and jointly contribute to peace and sustainable development across the world. In closing, I once again welcome Ambassador Kunene to Taiwan. May our joint efforts strengthen our nations’ enduring alliance and further advance our peoples’ well-being. I wish you a successful tenure and a pleasant time working in Taiwan.

Ambassador Kunene then delivered remarks, stating that he has the honor of conveying to President Lai the warmest greetings and best wishes of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, and the government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He said that Their Majesties fondly recall their many engagements with the leadership and people of Taiwan, and attach the highest importance to the special friendship that exists between our two countries.

The ambassador went on to say that the friendship between Eswatini and Taiwan was established on September 6, 1968, on the very day that the Kingdom of Eswatini attained independence. For 58 years, he said, our two countries have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations founded upon mutual respect, sovereign equality, loyalty, and a genuine concern for the welfare of our peoples.

Ambassador Kunene noted that the longevity of this relationship is important, but that even more important is what our friendship continues to achieve. Taiwan’s partnership with Eswatini is visible in local hospitals, he said, where Taiwanese medical teams work alongside Emaswati health professionals. He added that it can also be seen in Eswatini’s farms, schools and universities, and technical and vocational training programs, as well as in the growing number of Emaswati who have acquired knowledge and skills through Taiwan Scholarships.

He further noted that perhaps nowhere is the human impact of our partnership more visible than in the rural electrification program, a powerful and enduring testament to what our friendship can achieve when it is translated into the lives of ordinary people. The ambassador said that the two nations’ relationship is also increasingly visible in major economic and infrastructure initiatives in Eswatini such as the International Convention Centre, the strategic oil reserve facility, and the TIIP, which demonstrate the transition of our partnership into a new phase centered on investment, industrialization, energy security, technology transfer, and employment creation. These initiatives, he said, give practical expression to His Majesty’s call for Nkwe, meaning accelerated national development, and to President Lai’s vision of shared prosperity with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies; they also demonstrate that diplomacy must ultimately improve people’s lives.

Ambassador Kunene stated that the Kingdom of Eswatini also remains firm in its conviction that the people of Taiwan have much to contribute to the international community. He emphasized that global challenges, including pandemics, climate change, cybercrime, food insecurity, and disruptions to international supply chains, cannot be effectively addressed while the knowledge, resources, and experience of more than 23 million people are excluded. He said that Eswatini will therefore continue to advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and mechanisms where its contribution can benefit humanity. To close, Ambassador Kunene wished for the friendship between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China to continue to flourish, and for our two peoples to continue to prosper together.

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