TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Belize Embassy in Taiwan launched its second Puncar tour (胖卡) at the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park on Tuesday (April 2).

The event was the brainchild of Belize Ambassador Candice Pitts, who said touring Taiwan with Belizean food “aligns with the mission of our Belize Embassy, which is to reach and connect with all 23 million plus Taiwanese.” Her decision to pursue “gastro diplomacy” was an easy one, since “the easiest way to win hearts and minds is through the stomach,” Pitts said. 

Food also often reveals similarities, she said. During a banquet with Belize Prime Minister John Briceno and President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Briceno reminded Tsai that Belize and Taiwan share the values of democracy, the rule of law, self-determination, human rights, and putting people first, Pitts pointed out.

“Our food, our drinks, our music that will be airing in the Puncar are ways to introduce all of Taiwan to Belize, one of your most reliable diplomatic allies,” the ambassador said. This year, the tour will travel across northern Taiwan and promote three specialty items including pancakes covered in a chocolate spread made with Belizean cocoa beans by Kakawa Fine Chocolate, Taiwanese stir-fried noodles paired with hot sauce from Belizean hot sauce company Marie Sharp’s, and a cocoa rose tea also made with Belizean cocoa beans by Suntown Chocolate Company.

As the Belize-Taiwan friendship continues, the embassy will continue to promote activities such as the Puncar tour, which “are opportunities to strengthen our people-to-people understanding and augment our interpersonal and diplomatic relationships,” Pitts said. 

The Puncar will stop at numerous sites in Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung, Hsinchu, and Yingge from April 2 to May 12. For the complete schedule, click here.