The Deputy Prime Minister of Eswatini, Thulisile Dladla, visited Taiwan from February 10th to 14th at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan). During her visit, she is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and will be welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This visit marks Deputy Prime Minister Dladla’s first official trip to Taiwan since assuming her current position in November 2023. Apart from meeting President Lai Ching-te, she will also meet with Vice Premier Chen Li-jun and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, with a reception hosted by the ministry.
Expressing a keen interest in social welfare and women’s empowerment, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla will also visit government agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Labor. She is planning to visit institutions like the Taipei School for the Deaf and the Lihsin Foundation to exchange views on relevant issues.
Having served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Eswatini from 2018 to 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Dladla was the first female foreign minister of Eswatini and a staunch supporter of Taiwan during her tenure. She actively assisted the Republic of China in international participation, demonstrating strong support for Taiwan through concrete actions.
Since assuming the role of Deputy Prime Minister, Dladla has maintained close communication with the Taiwanese Embassy in Eswatini, fostering ongoing cooperation between Taiwan and Eswatini on mutual interests such as women’s empowerment, disaster prevention, and smart agriculture. She is considered an important ally of Taiwan in Eswatini’s political arena.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China emphasized that Taiwan and Eswatini have maintained diplomatic relations for over half a century since establishing ties in 1968. Eswatini remains steadfast in standing alongside Taiwan, rejecting threats and enticements from the Chinese Communist Party. The Ministry is committed to working closely with the Eswatini government to advance the “Honorable State Project,” aiming to deepen interaction and exchanges between Taiwan and Eswatini in all sectors for the mutual well-being of both nations.