President Tsai attends ROC 2016 National Day Reception
On the evening of October 10, President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his wife attended the 2016 National Day Reception at the Taipei Guest House, where she celebrated the 105th birthday of the Republic of China together with the assembled guests from home and abroad.
Among those present at the event were: Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph E. Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves; Speaker of the Marshall Islands Nitijela (Parliament) Kenneth A. Kedi and Mrs. Kedi; President Jose Antonio Alvarado of the Central American Parliament; Burkina Faso Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation Alpha Barry; and US Congressman and Chair Emeritus of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce Joe Barton. President Tsai and Vice President Chen and Mrs. Chen chatted amiably with the guests from around the world. The president was also accompanied by Premier Lin Chuan (林全) as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs David T. Lee (李大維) and Mrs. Lee.
President Tsai then accompanied Prime Minister Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves to see booths displaying well-known Taiwanese treats such as King Car Whisky, Hakka foods, dishes from the Din Tai Fung restaurant chain, spirits from the Matsu Liquor Factory, and dough figurines. The president described these items for her guests and joined them in taste testing the whisky, Hakka flat noodles, steamed dumplings, and kaoliang liquor. Because the president raises cats at home and Prime Minister Gonsalves was born in the Year of the Dog, the artisan at the dough figurine stall crafted some cat and dog figurines for the president and the prime minister.
Performing at the reception was the Ten Drum Art Percussion Group, which has received nominations for Golden Melody, Grammy, and American Independent Music Awards. President Tsai, Vice President Chen and Mrs. Chen, and Prime Minister Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves also took a pleasant stroll to a stage next to the pond to enjoy the views.