Taiwan's Lai to Visit Eswatini for King Mswati III's 40th Year on the Throne

Overview

• Taiwan's Presidential Office, which announced the plan Monday, said President Lai will travel to Eswatini from April 22 to 26 to attend the 40th enthronement ceremony.
• The trip will be a direct flight without stopovers in major countries such as the United States, pointing to a tightly focused bilateral visit.
• Taipei plans to support construction of oil storage tanks to strengthen Eswatini's energy security and guard against fuel shortages.
• The agenda also includes telemedicine assistance and an industrial park for Taiwanese companies, steps that can widen access to doctors and draw factory investment.
• Eswatini is Taiwan's only diplomatic partner in Africa and one of 12 worldwide, as the list has shrunk under sustained pressure from China.