How Taiwan's soft power is evolving, as China shadow looms

Strategy includes new areas such as agriculture and semiconductors

- Albert Wai

TAIPEI - There was a splash of colour in the exhibition hall, where visitors posed for photographs with blooms on display.

Among the showpieces at the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show was a pavilion display modelled after a traditional Chinese roof structure - it was suspended from the ceiling and adorned with orchids and their aerial roots.

One exhibition hall at the event in Taiwan's southern Tainan city showcased how orchids could be integrated into interior design, while international buyers met growers on the sidelines to explore deals.

While Taiwan might be better known for pineapples than orchids, it is one of the world's top orchid exporters.

The delicate flower has emerged as one of the ways in which Taiwan is trying to assert itself internationally, away from the shadow of China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory.

For a long time, Taipei's soft power generally defined as the use of economic and cultural influence to shape outcomes was projected mainly through its Minnan culture, street food, pop songs and entertainment programmes.

As the island seeks to maintain its relevance amid shrinking diplomatic space, it has been evolving its soft-power strategy to include new areas such as agriculture and semiconductors, even as it doubles down on its cultural promotion efforts.

Mr Lin Hung-min, administrative affairs convenor of the orchid show in Tainan, said Taiwan's orchid industry, which generates some US$200 million (S$268 million) a year, produces about 100 million orchid seedlings every year, of which 80 per cent are exported. Its main markets include the United States, Japan and Vietnam.

Popular orchid varieties from Taiwan that are exported include moth orchids with short, leafy stems and long-lasting flat flowers.