IDIA holds amity and exchange day with AIT’s Chinese Language and Area Studies School
On May 12, instructors and students from the Chinese Language and Area Studies School (CLASS) of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) paid a return visit to the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (IDIA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to take part in an amity and exchange day event. The visitors received a warm welcome from newly recruited diplomatic, consular, and administrative personnel at MOFA as well as trainees from the Overseas Community Affairs Council. The welcoming party was hosted by IDIA President Andrea Sing-ying Lee on behalf of Deputy Foreign Minister and IDIA Chancellor Tien Chung-kwang. The CLASS instructors and students then took part in a very successful amity and exchange activity that deepened their appreciation of Taiwan’s rich culture.
In his welcoming remarks on behalf of Deputy Minister and Chancellor Tien, IDIA President Lee said that he expected the day of activities to give CLASS instructors and students a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s richly diverse culture. He also hoped the event would be an opportunity for them to share experiences and exchange ideas with IDIA trainees. President Lee added that he was pleased to see such friendly interactions between the two institutions.
The return visit to the IDIA by CLASS continued a long-standing tradition of exchanges between the two institutions. When the IDIA called at CLASS in late March, a “friendship forever” tree was planted in the Friendship Garden at AIT. To return the goodwill and continue friendly interactions, the IDIA invited CLASS Principal Carolyn Clark to lead a group of instructors and students on a return visit. The morning started with cultural activities at the IDIA. A Chinese chess workshop with practice games gave CLASS students a deeper understanding of traditional culture. The students were then introduced to the beauty of indigenous culture in a workshop on indigenous handmade jewelry. In the afternoon, the event moved to the tea plantations of Taipei’s Maokong area. Participants experienced the richness of Taiwan’s tea culture and took part in a tea ceremony. Accompanied by a Taiwanese Nakashi band, they sang classic songs in Mandarin, English, Taiwanese Hokkien, and Spanish. The lively exchange concluded with everyone singing a chorus together, ending the day on a high note. The successful day helped strengthen Taiwan-US friendship and laid the groundwork for further partnership exchanges. (E)