“Throughout the year, relations between the ROC and the countries represented at the event have progressed substantially, with bilateral exchanges across a wide spectrum of areas proving quite fruitful,” MOFA Minister David Lin said.
“Recent trips by local bands Mixer and O-Kai Singers to Northeast and Southeast Asia, respectively, bear testament to such positive developments and have further enhanced Taiwan’s profile on the international stage.”
Also attending the event were Nauru President Baron Divavesi Waqa and 134 foreign ambassadors and representatives from 45 nations, including Belgium, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S.
The concert featured Mixer and O-Kai Singers, as well as music groups Cellotar and Renascimento. The former shared with the audience that it was an honor to take cultural diplomacy trips and engage their counterparts overseas in a meaningful way. Such experiences were eye-opening and allowed them to win greater global recognition for Taiwan, the artists said.
In total, the artists played 13 songs at the concert. In addition to signature pieces, they performed familiar tunes such as “Phantom of the Opera” and the Beatles’ “Yesterday,” as well as Christmas songs “Jingle Bells” and “Let It Snow!”
The festive event came to a climax as Lin and his MOFA staff led audiences in a sing-along of Chinese pop songs “Friends” and “A Thankful Heart.” President Waqa responded by affirming his pleasure to work with the ROC government and contributing country-and-western songs, including “Green, Green Grass of Home.”
The well-attended event emboldened the minister to say that he expects the government’s ties with diplomatic allies and other international friends to soar to new heights in the year to come. (DF-GW)
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