Chinese Officials Disrupt Taiwan’s Recognition at Tea Awards in France

In a surprising incident earlier this month, staffers from the Chinese embassy attempted to disrupt an award ceremony during the international tea competition held in France. The ceremony was honoring Taiwanese tea grower Hsieh Chung-lin, who received a special prize for his Huagang Snow Source Tea on December 2, 2023. The event took place at the Peruvian embassy in Paris, where Hsieh was recognized by the Agency for the Valorization of Agricultural Products (AVPA).

Disruption at the Ceremony

As the ceremony commenced and the organizer introduced Taiwan, two Chinese embassy staffers stood up and shouted statements claiming that “Taiwan is just a province of China” and “Taiwan is part of China.” Video footage of the event captured the tension as the organizers chose to ignore the outburst and continued with the proceedings. Attendees responded by booing the staffers and applauding Hsieh for his achievement.

In a post-event dinner, Hsieh reflected on the incident, noting that many participants recognized Taiwan’s global contributions, particularly during the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared that attendees advised him to disregard the protest, suggesting that China’s aggressive stance only serves to foster resentment.

Official Reactions and Broader Implications

In Taipei, Hsiao Kuang-wei, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged Chinese officials to adhere to international norms of etiquette. He emphasized that such behavior could render China a “laughingstock” in the global community. Hsiao further stated that improved cross-strait relations could only occur through respectful and equal dialogue with Taiwan.

Hsieh Chung-lin’s family has a long-standing tradition in tea production, with his factory, Juxin Tea Factory, originating in Nantou County’s Songboling. The business, which has been passed down through five generations, flourished under Hsieh’s father, Hsieh Hsi-hung, and boasts a century-long history of tea-making across plantations in Fushou Mountain, Lishan, and Dayuling.

The AVPA, a non-governmental organization founded in 2005, organizes contests that draw participation from over 700 producers globally each year. This year’s competition featured participants from countries including the United States, Japan, and Sri Lanka.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan’s international presence and recognition. As global awareness of Taiwan’s contributions grows, the actions of Chinese officials at such events may only serve to strengthen support for Taiwan on the world stage.