The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in collaboration with the Saint Lucia – Taiwan Alumni Association, and University of West Indies (UWI) held a lecture deliver by Mr. Denys Springer, Taiwan Fellowship recipient, on the topic of “The Evolving Culture and Identity of China and Taiwan” at UWI, on January 19th, 2017.
In his lecture, Mr. Springer pointed out that Taiwanese Culture is a fusion of different aboriginals groups, along the ethnic chinses Han people and Hakka people evolved through the course of history. A distinctive “Taiwanese Identity” was formed after the Japanese colonized period (1895-1945) when the whole island was ruled by one entity.
Mr. Springer stated that the succession of power transfers from Dutch, Japan to the Republic of China provided the platform for each Taiwanese generation to strengthen and create, in their own way, a unique multicultural society. Today, Taiwan is a melting pot with different ethnic groups coming together as a new generation enjoying and appreciating one another’s cultural heritage.
He also said that the sense of Taiwanese develop and survive the imposition of each period to end up in the current multi-party, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic country. Much took place during the democratic process during the period of 1987 to present. Although the Taiwanese Identity began to take effect during 50 years of Japanese rule and 50 years of Nationalist Rule.
What China must come to realize is that Taiwan today has an agreement on its democracy and its place in the sense of National Identity. Mr. Springer then adamant that Taiwan is without a doubt a truly democratic country.
Ambassador Mou, Hua-Wei in his remarks thanked Mr. Springer for sharing his research result, and brings his observation to Saint Lucian public；the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is willing to share her development experience and work hand in hand with people of Saint Lucia in many aspects, notably economic development, agriculture, ICT and higher education.
The lecture at UWI Open Campus was attended by over sixty people .The evening closed with a taste of Saint Lucia’s own cuisine prepared by a local caterer.
2017.01.19 Ambassador Mou on his remarks
2017.01.19 Mr. Denys Springer on his lecture
2017.01.19 Participants of the lecture
2017.01.19 Ambassador Mou, Hua-Wei and Taiwan Fellow Mr. Denys Springer
