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President Tsai Ing-wen, accompanied by Vice President Chen Chien-jen and Mrs. Chen, attended the 2018 National Day Reception at the Taipei Guest House on the evening of October 10 to celebrate the Republic of China's 107th birthday with guests from home and abroad.
The theme of this year's reception was "Taiwan, Together." Among the distinguished guests were Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez and his wife, Saint Christopher and Nevis Governor-General S. W. Tapley Seaton, Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Alberto Castiglioni and his wife, and former South African President F. W. de Klerk and his wife. President Tsai, along with Vice President Chen and his wife, exchanged cordial greetings with visitors from various countries, with Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and his wife also on hand.
The reception featured traditional cuisine from all parts of Taiwan, as well as Asian, Western, and vegetarian dishes. President Tsai first gathered with President Abdo, Mrs. Abdo, and other distinguished guests in the east wing of the Taipei Guest House to tell them about the building's architecture and history. Shortly thereafter, President Tsai, President and Mrs. Abdo, and other guests enjoyed a creative cocktail made with almond tea and sachima pastry. They also tried out a number of Taiwanese delicacies, including steamed dumplings, shrimp dumplings, mini bean-paste buns, meatballs (a well-known Tainan specialty), and old-fashioned peanut ice cream.
Students from the College of Performing Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts provided music and dance performances at this year's reception. President Tsai, Vice President Chen, Mrs. Chen, President Abdo, and Mrs. Abdo also took a pleasant stroll to a pond-side stage to watch the performances as hosts and guests mingled and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
