▲總統蔡英文。（圖／記者陶本和攝，下同）
記者陶本和／史瓦濟蘭報導
總統蔡英文19日出席史瓦濟蘭「50／50雙慶典禮」，進場時受到在場上萬史國人民熱情的歡呼；而在致詞時更向史國人民表示，會全力協助恩史瓦帝國王三世，實現2022國家發展策略願景，台灣會盡一切所能，透過教育、醫療、基礎建設等領域，協助提升人民的生活水準。
蔡英文此行訪問史瓦濟蘭，專案名稱定為「同心永固」，取「兩國同心、邦誼永固」之意。此行除了史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世（King Mswati Ⅲ）慶祝50歲大壽，也將歡慶史瓦濟蘭獨立建國50週年，同時更是台史建交50週年。
蔡英文於史瓦濟蘭當地時間19日上午11時，抵達Mavuso Trade Center體育場，出席「史國50／50雙慶儀式」；當她的車隊一抵達會場，現場全體上萬的史瓦濟蘭人民起立，並爆出歡呼。
蔡英文在致詞時表示，很榮幸參加史瓦濟蘭國王恩史瓦帝三世國王陛下50大壽暨獨立建國50週年慶典，「謝謝國王陛下誠摯的邀請、真摯的友誼以及熱情的款待。本人也想藉此祝賀史瓦濟蘭人民，過去50年來所達到的成就。恭喜！」
蔡英文指出，史瓦濟蘭王國1968年獨立之際，台史兩國友誼也開始建立，國王的父親、已故國王索布札二世宣布要向東方尋找如史瓦濟蘭一般，被強國包圍的夥伴。
蔡英文說，他發現這個國家願意成為史瓦濟蘭最忠誠、堅實的夥伴，「。他說的國家就是中華民國、台灣，是和史瓦濟蘭永不分離的朋友。」
蔡英文強調，這段緣份已經超過50年，一同見證強權的興起和隕落，相互扶持走過世間的試煉與苦難，「經歷這一切，我們的友誼和夥伴關係從未動搖，兩國的邦誼也並未受到一時興起或不切實際的想法所影響。」
對於史瓦濟蘭，蔡英文說，這裡自然資源豐富、文化傳統不斷深厚且保存良好，她相信在恩史瓦帝國王三世陛下的領導下，史瓦濟蘭必定能持續成為非洲成長與繁榮的代表。
蔡英文指出，台灣致力於支持史瓦濟蘭的未來發展，一定會全力協助國王實現2022年國家發展策略願景，台灣會盡一切所能，透過教育、醫療、基礎建設與農業等領域，幫助提升人民的生活水準，「因為我們相信，史瓦濟蘭能發展，台灣也會受惠。」
蔡英文用「換帖的」，來形容台史之間的關係，有著一輩子的承諾，要做彼此的兄弟姊妹，永遠互相支持。
蔡英文說，兩國關係的核心因素，就是人民，這也是為什麼，台灣向來重視與國王攜手合作，打造兩國人民、機構，以及組織之間永續夥伴關係。
同時，蔡英文更宣布啟動兩項計畫，首先是在拜訪史瓦濟蘭技術學院的時候，宣布要提供弱勢青年全額獎學金，「在史瓦濟蘭技術學院，台灣與史瓦濟蘭的老師共同合作，為學生提供全面的數理科學教育，這是現代經濟最重要的領域。除此之外，我們也會鼓勵更多的台灣老師來這裡教書，為史瓦濟蘭的下一代做出更多貢獻。」
另外，蔡英文在跟王母會面時，也允諾會跟王母基金會合作替婦女提供更多的機會，「溫室計畫」將會提供18個月的農業培育與管理訓練計畫，給予鄉間社區數百位婦女機會，鼓勵她們未來和史國國內低度開發地區分享技術。
▼蔡英文出席50／50雙慶儀式，受到史瓦濟蘭人民熱情歡呼。
蔡英文致詞全文：
Your Majesty King Mswati III,
Your Majesty the Queen Mother,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Excellencies,
Friends and distinguished guests,
The people of Swaziland:
Greetings! Sanibonani!
I am honored to attend this event in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 50th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Swaziland’s founding. It’s truly a special occasion. I want to thank His Majesty for his invitation, friendship, and hospitality. I also want to congratulate the people of Swaziland for all that you have accomplished over the past 50 years. Congratulations!
In 1968, on the brink of independence and the rebirth of a nation, a friendship was formed. His Majesty’s father, the late King Sobhuza II, declared that Swaziland would look east, to a country like his own, bordered by powerful neighbors. He observed a people similar to his own, industrious and hard-working. He saw a country that would be a willing, faithful, and dedicated partner to a young nation. He declared this country, the Republic of China, Taiwan, an inseparable friend of his and of Swaziland.
Fifty years have passed since that fateful decision. During this time, we have witnessed the rise and fall of great powers. We have stood together in the course of trials and tribulations around the world. Throughout it all, our two countries have never wavered in the promise of friendship and partnership. We have not allowed this friendship to be dictated by the whims and fancies of the present. We have always done what is right, sustainable, and best for our two peoples.
This is a friendship that has stood the test of time.
In the immortal words of the late King: “Anginasitsa, I have no enemies.” In Swaziland, we have no enemies.
Swaziland is a country blessed by vast natural resources. It’s a country with a rich cultural heritage, and a capable and resourceful people. Under the leadership of His Majesty the King, I have no doubt Swaziland will continue to be a symbol of growth and prosperity in Africa. Throughout my visit, I have already seen the promises of all that the future holds: from new highways and hospitals to growing opportunities in tourism and the ICT industries.
Taiwan is committed to supporting Swaziland’s future. We are fully dedicated to assisting His Majesty’s National Development Strategy Vision 2022. I want the people of Swaziland to know that Taiwan will work in any way we can – through education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture – to help fulfill His Majesty’s pledge to improve standards of living for all people in Swaziland. We do so because we believe when Swaziland does well, Taiwan does well.
In our own language, a good description for Taiwan-Swaziland relations is: “換帖的”. It refers to a lifelong commitment as brothers and sisters to always support each other.
We know that at the heart of any relationship, particularly one as vibrant as this one, is people. This is why, together with His Majesty, we have always focused on building enduring partnerships between people, institutions, and organizations.
I experienced this first-hand when I shook the hands of young Swaziland doctors, educated in Taiwan medical schools, yesterday at Mbabane Government Hospital. Our agricultural experts at the Taiwan Technical Mission near Matsapha are proudly working on their new agricultural produce. I met young Taiwanese teachers at the Swaziland College of Technology, whom I know are educating the best and brightest of Swaziland’s next generation.
All of this underpins the Taiwan-Swaziland relationship.
In the course of my visit, with the support of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother, I have announced two new initiatives that will further bring our two countries closer together.
We have inaugurated a new program to provide full scholarships to underprivileged young people. Human potential is key to Swaziland’s future. These scholarships will be for SCOT, an institution where Taiwanese and Swazi teachers already work side-by-side. We will enable more students to study STEM, which are fields in critical demand in today’s economy. We will also encourage more Taiwanese educators to teach here in order to further contribute to Swaziland’s next generation.
During my meeting with the Queen Mother, I also pledged to work together with the Philani Maswati Charity to provide more opportunities for women. This initiative, which is called the Greenhouse Project, will offer 18-month training programs in agricultural cultivation and management. It will empower hundreds of women in rural communities and encourage them to further share their know-how in less developed areas across the country.
These initiatives reflect our firm belief in the promise of Swaziland’s bright future. And our dedication to working together to achieve that future has never been stronger.
On this momentous occasion, I want to thank His Majesty for everything he has done for our bilateral relationship. Under his leadership, we know Taiwan has no better and more outspoken friend on the international stage. At a time when many international organizations have chosen to exclude the people of Taiwan, we know we can always count on Swaziland’s unwavering support. In UN assembly halls where our voice is never heard, we can always count on His Majesty’s steady words in favor of Taiwan’s participation.
This support means a lot to us. I want to say thank you. Ngiyabonga Kakhulu.
Finally, I want to conclude by saying this: Taiwan and Swaziland are partners in every sense of the word. Through the extraordinary foresight of the late King Sobhuza II to the leadership of His Majesty King Mswati III, this relationship has only grown stronger. Day by day. Year by year.
It is fitting that on the 50th birthday of the King and the 50th anniversary of your country, we also celebrate the 50th years of our relationship.
I want to offer His Majesty my best wishes on his birthday and my most sincere congratulations to the people of Swaziland.
Siyabonga! Thank you! Thank you very much!
▼史瓦濟蘭王家衛隊。
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