Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/11/05
By: Elaine Hou

Taiwanese dancers perform at the opening of the Asia-Pacific Culture Day.
Taipei, Nov. 5 (CNA) An annual weekend cultural fair kicked off Saturday in Taipei, offering visitors a taste of the diverse cultures of the Asia-Pacific region, as part of Taiwan’s efforts to promote cultural and artistic exchanges with countries in the region.

Now in its fifth year, the two-day Asia-Pacific Culture Day showcases music, dance, cuisine and handicraft art from 21 countries, including Taiwan, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organizer of the event. It is being held in the lobby of Taipei Main Station.

“Such cultural exchanges will not only enrich our own culture, but will also increase mutual understanding (among different countries),” Foreign Minister David Lee (李大維) said at the opening ceremony Saturday, which began with a performance by Taiwanese dancers to showcase the country’s diverse culture.

Echoing the government’s “new southbound policy,” Lee noted that six cities and one county from Taiwan are participating in this year’s event for the first time, in the hope of promoting closer links with those countries participating.    [FULL  STORY]