Foreign envoys attend Taiwan Ghost Festival ceremony at MOFA

Taipei, Aug. 27 (CNA) Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) hosted a traditional Ghost Festival prayer ceremony in Taipei on Wednesday, with representatives from Taiwan's diplomatic allies and other friendly countries taking part for the first time.

The ceremony, held ahead of the Ghost Festival, brought together envoys and representatives from Taiwan's 12 diplomatic allies and 12 other friendly nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a press release Thursday.

Traditional offerings of flowers, fruit and meat were displayed alongside items provided by participating countries, the ministry added.

Representatives from Japan, South Korea and the Philippines brought snacks from their respective countries, while the United States contributed beer and Canada provided maple syrup.

Other offerings came from St. Lucia, the Marshall Islands, Paraguay, Belize, Eswatini and the United Kingdom, according to MOFA.

Lin also gave attendees green packages of Kuai Kuai (乖乖), a popular Taiwanese corn snack whose name means "behave" or "be good."

The packages carried auspicious messages wishing recipients good fortune and peace for their families, MOFA said.

The ministry said the event was intended to introduce foreign representatives to Taiwanese folk traditions while deepening ties with the country's diplomatic allies and other like-minded partners.