Taiwan Welcomes New Japanese Representative With Bubble Tea, A Symbolic Taiwanese Drink

Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Treats New Japan Representative To BBT

Taiwan recently welcomed its newly-appointed representative from Japan,

And what better way is there to welcome someone to Taiwan, than with bubble tea?

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After all, the drink – first created in Taiwan during the 1980s – is widely enjoyed around the world.

Japan’s new representative to Taiwan welcome with BBT

On Wednesday (6 Nov), Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted a series of pictures to welcome Mr Hiroyasu Izumi, Japan’s new representative to Taiwan.

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Taiwan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Joseph Wu, welcomed him with the sweet treat.

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It looks like they weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the drink since the other gentleman -presumably one of their aides or translators – had a glass of it beside him.

Mr Izumi was appointed on 24 Oct, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. He took office on 1 Nov.

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Mr Izumi was previously an Ambassador to Bangladesh.

Taiwan, the land of bubble tea

Bubble tea is a symbolic beverage in Taiwanese culture as it was created in Taiwan. While there are disputes between 2 tearooms about who made the OG bubble tea, both tearooms claim to have created it in the 1980s.

1 of 2 shops that claim they made the OG bubble tea
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The heavenly combination of chewy tapioca pearls and refreshing iced tea has since attained unparalleled popularity worldwide.

Singapore alone has over 47 brands selling bubble tea, according to Avenue One.

Bubble tea diplomacy?

It seems like Taiwan is tapping on its strengths in its diplomatic efforts. The ministry even hashtagged Bubble Tea Diplomacy in their tweet. It seems like Taiwanese do hold their bubble tea in high regard.

We hope that the cups of bubble tea helped to sweeten things between the two countries.

Featured image adapted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) on Twitter.