Israeli Representative to Taiwan Omer Caspi on Thursday said an ongoing exhibition that features photographs taken by Taiwanese people traveling in his country is being held to celebrate three decades of friendship between the two sides.
Speaking during an event to mark the “Meet Israel Through Taiwanese Eyes” photo exhibition, Caspi, who heads the Israel Economic & Cultural Office in Taipei (ISECO), said the show being staged at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall features photos that capture the true Israel in the eyes of Taiwanese visitors.
“The 30 photos symbolize 30 years of friendship between Israel and Taiwan,” he said, adding that the diversity and multiculturalism of Israel as well as its beautiful landscape and rich history are “marvelously reflected in this collection.”
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (???) said during the same event that both Taiwan and Israel face similar challenges in defending their way of life and have shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights.
The two countries have signed 31 MOUs and agreements in areas of education, technology, medicine and agricultural over the past three decades with more to come, he said.
Tien added that he hopes bilateral relations will continue to grow in the future.
The event was staged to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the inauguration of ISECO, which was established in 1993 to strengthen exchanges between Israel and Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) also opened a representative office in Tel Aviv the same year to serve as its de facto embassy.
Israel and the Republic of China, the official name of Taiwan, have never established diplomatic relations. Israel established official diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1992.
According to the ISECO, the 30 photos were selected from 150 submissions and the exhibition, which opened on Jan. 11, will end on March. 12.
After completing its run in Taipei, the photo exhibit will tour other parts of Taiwan so more people can enjoy it, ISECO added.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel