Cultural campaign in Europe raises Taiwan's profile: Official

Taipei, Sept. 7 (CNA) The government-initiated "Taiwan Culture in Europe 2025" campaign, which will showcase performing arts groups and national treasures in Europe, aims to present Taiwan's success as a democracy through culture, Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中) said.

The campaign, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture earlier this year, will bring more than 70 cultural events to 26 countries, Wu said during a recent interview with CNA.

He noted that these events include an upcoming exhibition of "Jadeite cabbage with insects" and other iconic treasures from the National Palace Museum that runs from Sept. 11 to Dec. 31 at the Czech National Museum in Prague.

In addition, performing arts groups, including U Theatre, National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan, and Ju Percussion Group, will tour Europe in the coming months as part of the campaign, he added.

Wu said that Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) views culture as a great jumping-off point for further improving ties between Taiwan and European countries.

Lin's appointments of National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Director Liu Suan-yung (劉玄詠) as Taiwan's representative to Austria and Freddy Lim (林昶佐), frontman of metal band Chthonic, as the representative to Finland were seen by many as an effort to promote "cultural diplomacy."

"Cultural events make Taiwan more visible, and the power of culture knows no boundaries," said Wu, Taiwan's former representative to France, adding that while China has spared no effort to sideline Taiwan politically, it has had less success in boycotting Taipei at cultural events.

For example, Wu said, last year Beijing unsuccessfully pressured organizers of Festival OFF Avignon into dropping Taiwan as the guest of honor, and the Chinese ambassador to France at the time refused to walk past a public display of 400 portraits of Taiwanese nationals representing different cultural communities.

Wu said Beijing frequently claims to "tell positive stories about China," but "because it often does bad things, it fails to do so."

Taiwan should aim to create "an even greater Taiwan legend," he added.

As a democracy, Taiwan offers an alternative model of success for Chinese-speaking societies. In Taiwan, people are respected and free to speak their minds despite threats from China, Wu said.

With many European countries facing threats from Russia, Wu said there is a growing understanding of Taiwan's situation and increasing support from Europe, making now the right time to promote "Taiwan Culture in Europe."

Wu noted that Taiwan's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, its role in global geopolitics, and its semiconductor leadership have significantly raised its profile in Europe in recent years.

Taiwan's international engagement should not be limited to the United States and Japan, but should also include deeper cultural exchanges with Europe, the veteran diplomat said.