Children from Chiayi City participated in the 27th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) in Japan representing Taiwan

The Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka was founded by the Fukuoka Junior Chamber in 1989 as part of the 1989 Asian-Pacific Exposition, an event to celebrate Fukuoka City’s 100th anniversary. APCC is currently the largest international event especially for children.

Children from over 40 countries in the Asia-Pacific region were invited to join in a whole range of various events together, such as an Exchange Camp, and school visits. On July 18, all of the children performed a traditional song and dance which represented their country or region. The team from Taiwan performed a variation of a traditional dance named “Techno-Dancing Third Prince” (電音三太子).

The Third Prince (三太子哪吒) is a Taiwanese religious folk icon, who can be seen at temple festivals and in street parades. In recent years this Taoist deity has been “recruited” as a trailblazing figure for promoting Taiwan internationally. He is traditionally considered a divine prince with a playful and rebellious spirit, and he has now been modernized to become the “Techno-Dancing Third Prince” (電音三太子), and provides exuberant entertainment at cultural events both in Taiwan and overseas.

All the children at the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention were very excited to take part, and enthusiastically joined in all the multiple events making friends with other children from each country. This is exactly what the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention stands for: for these young participants from so many different places to become global citizens with a spirit of “Omoiyari” - mutual respect for each other - and create a more peaceful world abounding with their smiles.