President Tsai praises Eswatini as important COVID-19 partner

Taipei, June 13 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday praised the Kingdom of Eswatini as an important partner in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the African country was the third-largest exporter of disinfectant alcohol to Taiwan.

Tsai made the remarks at the Presidential Office while accepting the credentials of the African Kingdom's new ambassador to the country, Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi, which marks the official beginning of his ambassadorship.

In addition to supplying critical goods during the pandemic, the president said Taiwan had also helped its only diplomatic ally in Africa build capacity for face mask production.

"These collaborations show the strong friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini," she added.

In her address, Tsai said the last time she visited the African kingdom was in April 2018 when both countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, with King Mswati III visiting Taiwan in June of the same year.

While in Eswatini, Tsai said she had witnessed bilateral cooperation projects that were "concrete reflections of the longstanding friendship between the two allies."

Tsai also took the opportunity to thank Msibi and Eswatini for staunchly supporting Taiwan at this year's World Health Assembly, during which an Eswatini official had backed Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization's decision-making forum.

Tsai welcomed the Ambassador Msibi's arrival, praising him as an outstanding diplomat and a long-time supporter of Taiwan.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Msibi, 57, is a senior Eswatini diplomat who has previously visited Taiwan twice, once as a parliamentary secretary in 2004, and later while accompanying King Mswati III's mother at Taiwan's Double Ten National Day celebrations in 2011.

According to MOFA, Msibi is highly trusted by King Mswati III, making him a perfect choice as Eswatini's ambassador to Taiwan.

Msibi and his wife arrived in the country on April 27, and the envoy presented a copy of his letter of credentials to Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) on May 24.