Chai (Tea) diplomacy to bring Taiwan, India closer

New Delhi. Taiwan, which is pushing its relations with India and drawing a parallel with China, has embarked upon ‘Chai (Tea) Diplomacy’ as part of its strategy to use soft, smart and hot power to mean more ‘business’ with India.

The news might create bubbles in China though; Taiwanese companies led by its apex trade body Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) have introduced many tea variants in India.

The Taiwan Expo 2019 that began with much fanfare in New Delhi on Thursday, May 16, to showcase Taiwanese products and services, not only has a large tea stall serving a wide variety of tea types including the bubble tea, the inaugural event too witnessed brewing and serving tea in traditional Taiwanese style to the dignitaries including Indian diplomats and businessmen.

The TAITRA Chairman James C.F. Huang and Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang, Representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre were among the Taiwanese officials playing host to the ‘tea party’ on the dais.

And people in Taiwan are ready to welcome Indian ‘masala’ (spice) chai (tea) if it is introduced there, the Taiwanese officials said.

The tea stall serving Taiwanese tea attracted a huge crowd of visitors those were seen enjoying various variants of tea.

“If you introduce Indian masala tea in Taiwan, people there would like it and so do people in India as they would like our tea. We want to use soft, smart and hot power to bring the people of two countries together, and introduce tourism on both sides,” Taiwan Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang, Representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre told Asian Community News (ACN) Network after the inauguration of Taiwan Expo 2019 in New Delhi on Thursday.

The Ambassador said tourism is only industry without chimney and is environment-friendly too, and tourism and manufacturing complement each other and can go together. 

Taiwan is planning to promote its tourist destinations such as Taipei 101 tallest green tower in the world with over a thousand electronics sensors that make it energy efficient. It also boasts of Tarako gorge, the natural marble stone mountains in the eastern part of Taiwan. This landmark gorge was carved by the Liwu River.

“Taroko gorge which is so natural and full of tranquility, and is a beautiful place.  We also have  Ali mountain ranges, Sun Moon Lake and Kenting National Park. Next month on July 6, we have Taiwanese circus coming up in Kamani auditorium in New Delhi and it will be performed by 16 young players doing acrobatics. Entry to this event is free,” said Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang.

The opening ceremony of Taiwan Expo 2019 witnessed the presence of a number of dignitaries including His Excellency, Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang, Representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre, James C.F. Huang, Chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA),  William Liu, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, (MOEA) Taiwan,  Karen Pai, Deputy Executive Director, TAITRA,  Praveen Bonigala, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Manish Singhal, deputy secretary general, FICCI  and Deepak Kumar, executive director, India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) among others.

The event scheduled to take place between, May 16 to 18, 2019 started with the traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony followed by a special cultural performance by a Taiwanese dance troupe. Last year, the expo was attended by more than 20,000 visitors and this year, it is expected that the expo will be attended by approximately 30,000 visitors and the amount of potential businesses worth is expected to be USD 150 million.

While addressing the audience and media persons at the event, James C.F. Huang, Chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) said, “People to people connections, are the heart and soul of Taiwan Expo. This Expo is all about making connections through our shared values and our appreciation for all things wonderful…. India is an investment in the future. In India’s quest for economic greatness, Taiwan stands ready to be your best partner.”

TAITRA has come up with an interactive activity to increase the number of visitors attending the expo. Visitors can download the app: Marq+ and play interactive games in the expo. One of these game is to scan the butterfly image of Taiwan expo and add the butterfly wings to it. Visitors can win exciting prizes by participating in these activities.

While making his remark, Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang, Representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre said, “We need to create awareness about Taiwan and what we have to offer in the Indian market. As compared to some of the other countries, Taiwan has been late in entering the Indian market. However, we expect that more Indian and Taiwanese companies will collaborate for mutual benefits in the near future. We want more Indians and more Taiwanese to explore the two destinations. A lot can be achieved through promoting tourism ties between India and Taiwan.”