A selection of gifts for President Tsai Ing-wen to present to top-level officials during her upcoming Journey of Freedom, Democracy, Sustainability to Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia was unveiled by the Presidential Office July 9 in Taipei City.
The items are handcrafted by celebrated Taiwan artists and in keeping with the theme of the presidential visit, said Chang Wen-lan, director-general of the PO Department of Public Affairs. They also highlight unique aspects of Taiwan and the country’s friendship with the like-minded Caribbean allies, she added.
Among the gifts is a wood engraving of a wild lily by Paiwan indigenous artist Etan Pavavalung. His signature technique carved lines and patterns, which illustrate the bond between humans and nature, is intended to remind Haiti President Jovenel Moise of both countries’ shared commitment to sustainable development.
A gold-painted porcelain vase featuring indigenous Formosa black bears was created by artists from New Taipei City-based Anta Pottery. It celebrates the gift of life, and will be presented to St. Kitts and Nevis Governor-General S. W. Tapley Seaton.
Equally impressive is a gold-painted porcelain vase depicting indigenous macaques by Anta Pottery. The piece, portraying Taiwan’s biodiversity, is to be gifted to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Governor-General Frederick Nathaniel Ballantyne.
Also eye-catching is a ceramic artwork by Shen1300 Porcelain Art Centre in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan. The palm holding two birds symbolizes St. Lucia Governor-General Emmanuel Neville Cenac’s guardianship of the country and its 40th year of independence.
In addition, four artworks will be presented to St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy S. Harris and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation Mark A. G. Brantley, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves and St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet.
Tsai’s July 11-22 presidential visit, which includes two U.S. stopovers, is her first to the region as head of state and seventh abroad since assuming office in May 2016. The accompanying delegation comprises top officials such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu and National Security Council Secretary-General David Tawei Lee, as well as legislators and business representatives. (SFC-E)
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