TAIWANESE TOUCH: Policy adviser Kate Hung said that as diplomacy is essentially introducing the nation to the world, gifts for foreign visitors must represent Taiwan
Taipei Times
Date: Jun 06, 2018
By: Stacy Hsu / Staff reporter
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday unveiled seven gift items infused with
New diplomatic gift items, including a ceramic tile and a lunch box, are displayed at a news conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA
Taiwanese elements, part of the ministry’s efforts to introduce local culture to a global audience.
The creation of gifts for foreign dignitaries that reflect Taiwanese culture was one of the priority policies announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) when he took over the ministry in February.
“Diplomacy in essence is introducing Taiwan to the world and offering outsiders a better understanding of the stories of Taiwan. That is why the gifts that diplomats choose for foreign dignitaries matter significantly, because these presents represent what they believe best encapsulate Taiwan,” ministry policy adviser Kate Hung (洪慧儒) told a news conference in Taipei.
In the past, gifts given by the ministry were generally perceived as traditional-looking, as they were filled with “classic components,” but Wu’s goal is to increase elements from Taiwan’s day-to-day life that are more memorable, Hung said. [FULL STORY]
