TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) thanked Eswatini for supporting Taiwan during a courtesy call to Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini on Wednesday.

Lin pointed out that Dlamini led a delegation to Taiwan in March and has spoken on Taiwan’s behalf at major international events, including the UN General Assembly and the 29th Conference of the Parties, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

Dlamini welcomed Lin to Eswatini and appreciated Taiwan’s long-standing assistance. He reaffirmed that the friendship between Eswatini and Taiwan is rock solid. As a sovereign state, Eswatini has the right to choose its friends and will steadfastly stand with Taiwan, undeterred by any external pressure, the prime minister said.

Lin later attended a presentation on the results of the Women Business Start-up Microfinance Revolving Fund launched by Taiwan in September 2023.

The foreign minister said the US$1 million (NT$32.5 million) initiative aims to help rural women in Eswatini secure startup capital, improve family incomes, and promote broader economic and social development. Over the past year, the fund has approved more than 500 loans, significantly improving the lives of many locals and empowering women to achieve economic independence, Lin said. 

Lin arrived in Eswatini on Tuesday to attend King Mswati III’s birthday celebration on April 25. He is slated to meet with top government officials and sign an MOU with Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakantu on countering disinformation and promoting information integrity.

Taiwan and Eswatini established diplomatic ties in 1968.