Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) yesterday hosted a traditional Ghost Festival prayer ceremony in Taipei, with representatives from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and other friendly countries taking part for the first time.
The ceremony, held ahead of today’s Ghost Festival, brought together envoys and representatives from Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies and 12 other friendly nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement today.
Traditional offerings of flowers, fruit and meat were displayed alongside items provided by participating countries, the ministry added.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via CNA
Representatives from Japan, Philippines and South Korea brought snacks from their respective countries, while the US contributed beer and Canada provided maple syrup, the ministry said.
Other offerings came from Belize, Eswatini, the Marshall Islands, Paraguay, Saint Lucia and the UK, it said.
Lin also gave attendees green packages of Kuai Kuai (乖乖), a popular Taiwanese corn snack, the name of which name means “behave” or “be good,” the ministry said.
The packages carried auspicious messages wishing recipients good fortune and peace for their families, it said.
The event was intended to introduce foreign representatives to Taiwanese folk traditions, while deepening ties with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and other like-minded partners, the ministry said.
