Taiwan Invites 24 Diplomats to Zhongyuan Festival, Showcasing Soft Power with Snacks

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a distinctive Pudu blessing ceremony on the eve of the Zhongyuan Festival. This event continued the ministry’s annual ritual while marking an innovative step in diplomatic practice. For the first time, it invited a total of twelve friendly nations and twelve friendly countries’ resident ambassadors and representatives to attend in person, allowing them to experience Taiwan’s deeply historic Zhongyuan Pudu culture. The initiative brought a solemn diplomatic arena into the rhythm of local life and, through the gentle power of religion and folk customs, drew Taiwan closer to the international community, showcasing the nation’s unique cultural soft power.

At the Pudu ceremony, the ministry arranged for the resident ambassadors to participate in this widely known Taiwanese tradition. To give the foreign diplomats a greater sense of participation, the event prepared a variety of local Pudu offerings and cleverly incorporated international exchange elements. Ambassadors from each country were invited to share their nation’s distinctive snacks and representative pastries, turning the traditional blessing into a small‑scale “Food United Nations” exhibition. While exchanging tastes of snacks, the diplomats discussed differences and similarities among their countries regarding rituals, ancestor worship, and similar Ghost Month customs, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

Pudu, a highly representative Taiwanese folk festival, embodies the spirit of universal salvation, reverence for the heavens, respect for gods, and remembrance of ancestors and wandering spirits, reflecting Taiwan’s strong inclusiveness and humanitarian care. The ministry’s choice to bring such grassroots cultural activity onto the international stage is driven by strategic considerations and cultural diplomacy implications. Over time, Taiwan’s official diplomatic breakthroughs have faced many restrictions in a harsh international survival space, making cultural diplomacy and people‑to‑people diplomacy crucial avenues for expanding international visibility. By inviting resident ambassadors to experience the most authentic Taiwanese customs, foreign diplomats can move beyond formal documents and negotiations and truly understand Taiwanese life philosophy and humanity.

The 24 invited representatives came from Taiwan’s official diplomatic allies and friendly nations with similar ideals, illustrating the ministry’s delicate consideration in