Foreign dignitaries enjoy local food at Taiwan's National Day reception

Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) Foreign dignitaries, including visiting governors-general of Belize and Saint Lucia, on Friday enjoyed an array of Taiwanese delicacies at a National Day reception in Taipei, accompanied by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), as part of the Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day celebrations.

During the event held at the Taipei Guest House, Lai and the visiting governors-general -- Dame Froyla Tzalam of Belize and Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles of Saint Lucia -- enjoyed Taiwanese pork dishes and ice cream.

As host, the president presented each guest from Taiwan's diplomatic allies with a cup of ice cream as he introduced them to Taiwanese cuisine.

Lai told reporters that he gave Charles a cup of tea-flavored ice cream after learning that the Saint Lucian politician enjoys drinking tea.

In addition to food and beverages, the annual reception featured performances by two Taichung-based groups -- MAD Theater and Eye Catching Circus -- as well as Kaohsiung-based Bemove Dance Company, with music played by Louis and the Artistar Quintet.

Meanwhile, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) accompanied Raúl Luis Latorre Martínez, president of Paraguay's Chamber of Deputies, at the reception, which featured popular Taiwanese dishes, including those from Moon Moon Food (雙月食品社), a Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee from Taipei.

A total of 212 foreign dignitaries took part in this year's Republic of China (Taiwan) National Day celebrations, including delegates from three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies -- Belize, Saint Lucia and Paraguay, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The guests include 138 members of visiting foreign delegations and 74 foreign representatives currently stationed in Taiwan, along with their spouses, the MOFA said in a statement.

Also attending the National Day celebrations and related events were a Swedish parliamentary delegation, participants in the European Valued Important Partnership Initiative, and a 28-member Taiwan-friendly Japanese parliamentary group, the ministry added.