Decoding Diplomatic Finesse: President Lai’s Masterclass in Etiquette Without a Script
- Pan Lin Meifeng, the mother of Pan Meng'an, secretary general of the Presidential Office, passed away late last month.
- The farewell ceremony was held in Checheng City, Pingtung, where Lai Ching-te delivered a speech in Taiwanese to commemorate Pan's mother.
- Lai's eulogy was met with widespread praise, with many netizens commenting on his impressive pronunciation and professionalism.
Lai Ching-te’s Impressive Eulogy for Pan Lin Meifeng
By Chen Denglong and Yan Yixuan
Pan Lin Meifeng, the mother of Pan Meng’an, secretary general of the Presidential Office, passed away late last month. A video of Lai Ching-te’s eulogy at her farewell ceremony has gone viral, with over 300,000 views and 10,000 likes in less than 12 hours.
The farewell ceremony was held in Checheng City, Pingtung, where Lai Ching-te delivered a speech in Taiwanese to commemorate Pan’s mother. He recited key texts in Taiwanese scriptural pronunciation without reading from a manuscript, impressing many with his smooth delivery.
Lai’s eulogy was met with widespread praise, with many netizens commenting on his impressive pronunciation and professionalism. Some even joked that he might be afraid of getting stuck on words, but his smooth delivery put everyone at ease.
Funeral practitioners also weighed in on the discussion, explaining that an essential skill for local officials in Tainan is to have smooth and strong pronunciation. Lai’s performance was seen as a testament to his familiarity with traditional religious culture.
According to party and government sources, Lai Ching-te has followed Tainan customs and occasionally chanted at farewell ceremonies for dignitaries and local gentry. His performance at Pan Lin Meifeng’s ceremony was particularly notable, given his position as executive president and vice president.