ALL IN GOOD TASTE: SAVOR THE FLAVOURS OF TAIWAN GASTRODIPLOMACY CAMPAIGN IN PROMOTING ITS NATION BRANDING IN CANADA (CASE STUDY: THE ANNUAL TAIWANFEST IN VANCOUVER AND TORONTO 2010-2013)

Abstract

Taiwan well known with its culinary treasure. Departing from its culinary treasure for global gourmand, Taiwan has an interest in using its food treasures to promote its nation brand. Gastrodiplomacy has become one of the efforts of public diplomacy taken by Taiwan and can form a positive perception of foreign public in his country. With the existence of One China Policy, Gastrodiplomacy is a big step taken by Taiwan to emphasize that Taiwan and China are different. Taiwan utilize the wealth of its country's food to take the hearts of foreign communities through the introduction of Taiwanese signature dishes to foreign communities in this case is in Canada, so that Taiwan can be recognized as a country. The purpose of this research is to know what steps are taken by Taiwan in promoting its country through gastrodiplomacy. The research method used in this study is a qualitative method with descriptive-analytical approached to describe and analyze the case study of Gastrodiplomacy Taiwan through TAIWANFest 2010-2013. Gastrodiplomacy undertaken by Taiwan concern in conducting several aspects each year which are cooking demonstration, night market, introduction of Taiwanese restaurant, and also cultural exhibition. The results of this study indicate that one of the public diplomacy efforts of Gastrodiplomacy undertaken by Taiwan succeeded in promoting its nation branding in Canada, proved by the continued substantive relations between Canada and Taiwan even without official diplomacy.