This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). To help the American public understand the act's impact on the deepening ties between Taiwan and the United States, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO) hosted "Discover Taiwan: Your One-Day Adventure in Atlanta" on May 24. The 14 selected participants came from diverse backgrounds, including senior executives, industrial designers, lawyers, young students, and chefs. They enjoyed performances by a Taiwanese puppet troupe, sampled various Taiwanese foods, and took part in a Mandarin language class. They also practiced calligraphy, writing "Taiwan-U.S. Friendship," and eagerly shared photos from the event on their social media accounts.
Participants exchanged views on U.S.-Taiwan relations at the TECO office to commence the day. Afterward, they indulged in a Taiwanese banquet featuring Three-Cup Chicken, Hakka Stir-Fry, Ba-Wan (Taiwanese meatballs), Keelung Night Market Taiwanese fried sandwiches, pineapple cakes, and Taiwanese beer. They listened to speakers from various backgrounds who had visited Taiwan and successfully operated businesses in the United States share their experiences. In the afternoon, they visited the renowned "Xing Fu Tang" Taiwanese Boba shop to taste brown sugar bob and learn about its history and brewing process.
As part of the cultural experience, attendees participated in a Mandarin class at the Atlanta Chinese School, where they worked on calligraphy, writing words like "friendship," "freedom," "peace," and "safety" on Spring Festival couplets. In the evening, they attended a welcome reception hosted by the Center for Puppetry Arts, the largest puppetry center in the United States. During the reception, they witnessed the donation of two "Taiwanese Lion Dance" puppets to the museum and were entertained by a performance of "The Selfish Giant" by the "Puppet & Its Double" troupe from Yilan, Taiwan. The Consul Generals of South Korea and Peru, along with their spouses, as well as the Vice Consul of Guatemala, other dignitaries, and their children, were also present at the show.
Director-General Eliot Wang emphasized that the TRA serves not just as the cornerstone of the extensive cooperation between Taiwan and the United States but also provides a solid foundation for cultural exchanges. He highlighted that events like the "Discover Taiwan" experience allow Atlantans to directly engage with Taiwanese culture and cuisine, fostering friendship and mutual understanding. TECO is committed to organizing similar events in the future to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Taiwan among the American public.
