President Lai and King Mswati III of Eswatini visit Army Aviation Training Command

On the morning of October 11, President Lai Ching-te and His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini visited the Army Aviation Training Command in Tainan. In remarks, President Lai stated that Taiwan and Eswatini have enjoyed a deep friendship over their 58 years of diplomatic relations, and that the Army Aviation Training Command has contributed to bilateral cooperation by helping train military pilots and maintenance officers from Eswatini. He expressed hope that the visit would give the king an even deeper understanding of Taiwan and that the two countries would continue to expand cooperation and further strengthen their diplomatic ties.

Upon arrival, President Lai and King Mswati III received a briefing on the flight simulator system and tried a simulated flight. They then proceeded to an exhibition area for an introduction to various helicopter models and assault vehicles.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

Taiwan and Eswatini have maintained diplomatic relations for 58 years and share a deep friendship. I have been honored to welcome His Majesty King Mswati III, Inkhosikati Make Zuma, and their delegation here for the special occasion of our National Day celebrations. This is His Majesty’s 20th visit, reflecting his support for Taiwan and the depth of our two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Following yesterday’s celebrations, I have specially invited His Majesty to visit Tainan today. The Army Aviation Training Command is responsible for educating and training helicopter pilots and aviation maintenance personnel for the army, navy, and air force, making it an important center for developing aviation professionals for our armed forces. This training experience has also been applied to cooperation between Taiwan and Eswatini.

In connection with the transfer of UH-1H helicopters to Eswatini, the Army Aviation Training Command helped train a total of 11 Emaswati military pilots and maintenance officers between 2019 and 2020. It also dispatched instructors to Eswatini to share their flying and maintenance expertise. I would like to thank all personnel involved in this mission for their contributions to the diplomatic ties between our two countries.

Earlier, His Majesty and Inkhosikati Zuma also tried the flight simulator. His Majesty proved to be a natural pilot, flying very smoothly and skillfully. I have therefore presented him with a certificate of achievement and invited him to board a Black Hawk helicopter to experience the difference between simulated flight and sitting in an actual Black Hawk cockpit.

I hope this visit will give His Majesty an even deeper understanding of Taiwan, and that our two countries can expand cooperation and further strengthen their diplomatic ties.

King Mswati III then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for inviting the delegation to visit the Army Aviation Training Command. Recalling the previous day’s National Day celebrations, he said that he was impressed to see the population come together to celebrate, as well as see the love and respect that President Lai has received from the people of Taiwan. The celebrations, he said, showcased Taiwan’s achievements in economic development, social welfare, and other fields. He added that Taiwan would not be where it is today without the support of the nation’s people, and said that these achievements are worth celebrating. For this, he extended his congratulations to President Lai and the government and people of Taiwan.

King Mswati III said that, having seen the displays by the fighter jets and helicopters at the National Day celebrations, he is happy to be visiting the Army Aviation Training Command to see its equipment and training achievements firsthand. He noted that today’s world faces many challenges, including climate change and the natural disasters it brings, while emergencies such as accidents in mountainous areas and traffic accidents also occur. Helicopters and trained pilots, he said, play a vital role in emergency response and rescue operations. He emphasized that every country needs such equipment and skilled personnel, and that their professionalism must be passed on to generations to come so that we are always ahead of any natural disaster or emergency we may come across.

King Mswati III thanked Taiwan for helping train Emaswati pilots and for allowing some of its helicopters to be deployed in Eswatini. He said that the helicopters are doing a fantastic job, including transporting patients who are unable to reach medical facilities on their own or who need urgent medical attention. On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen Mother and the government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini, he expressed gratitude to the government and people of Taiwan.

King Mswati III said that, during the visit, he noticed Taiwan’s aviation industry is continuing to grow and improve, and that he looks forward to further exchanges between the two countries and the sharing of expertise and experience. He once again thanked President Lai for bringing the delegation to the Army Aviation Training Command following the major activities of the previous day, saying that this reflects the friendship and mutual respect between the two countries. He concluded by wishing Taiwan every success, and expressing hope that the relationship between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan) will grow from strength to strength.

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