Twenty-four Taiwan International Youth Ambassadors joined their Vincentian counterparts for the “Taiwan-St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cultural Night” in Kingstown on Aug. 27
The youth ambassadors distinguished themselves from among 600 applicants and visited SVG from Aug. 26 to 30, under the leadership of Andy Liu and Deputy Head of Delegation Pei-Fen Hsieh.
Governor General Sir Stanley John, Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and Creative Industries, Kaschaka Cupid, and Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, Phillip Jackson attended the event.
Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Bailey, government officials, friends from arts and culture, students and media were present, packing Peace Memorial Hall with over 230 attendees.
Delivering remarks, Taiwan Ambassador to SVG, Fiona Fan, stressed the meaningfulness of the delegation’s visit as Taiwan and SVG celebrated the 45th anniversary of steadfast diplomatic relations.
The friendship has been manifested through critical infrastructure, including Argyle International Airport and the new port in Kingstown, while youth empowerment has always been at the centre of policy priorities for both governments.
Taiwan has been actively promoting the “Taiwan Global Pathfinder Initiative”, enabling youth to fulfil their dreams in its allied country.
Through culture, music and performing arts, the friendship between the two countries will further surpass geographical boundaries and bring the hearts of peoples even closer.
Leacock commended the development, order, culture and resilience he had witnessed firsthand during his trip to Taiwan earlier this year, and encouraged youth to forge friendships that could continue to flourish through different stages of life, as long as the diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Taiwan youth ambassadors presented “Melodious Island Sounds”, “The Beauty of Taiwanese Folklore”, and “Shine Shine Taiwan”, three main programmes featuring Hakka culture, Taiwanese opera, martial arts, Taiwanese folk songs, rap, street dances, and “Team Taiwan” baseball cheering tunes to showcase different facets of culture that the people of Taiwan are extremely proud of.
Vincentian performers presented traditional and African-Caribbean dances, and performed Taiwanese songs on the steel pan.
The highlight of the evening was the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors’ joint performance in the traditional Vincentian dances “Tin-Go-Lay” and Maypole, after only a few hours of rehearsal earlier in the day, demonstrating the fruitful outcomes of youth exchanges between Taiwan and SVG.
The Taiwan Embassy organised a series of programmes including courtesy calls, cultural performances, youth and basketball exchange, and visits to bilateral cooperation projects.
During the delegation’s visit to the embassy, Ambassador Fan, stressed the importance of value diplomacy, as the steadfast friendship between the two countries flourishes on the shared value of freedom and democracy, and Taiwan’s endeavour to deepen collaboration through the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.
Fan encouraged the youth ambassadors to actively engage with Vincentian youth during their visit to jointly advance diplomatic efforts.
Following their arrival on Aug. 26, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Bramble, who is also minister of foreign trade, foreign investment and diaspora affairs.
Bramble welcomed the delegation as the two countries celebrate 45 years of diplomatic ties, and looked forward to fostering connection and understanding between the peoples.
On Aug. 27, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Sir Stanley John, governor-general of SVG, performed Taiwanese folk tunes with traditional instruments and engaged with Vincentian youth.
The governor-general encouraged the youth to unleash their creativity in shaping the next era.