They could have extra necessary issues to do, however Taiwan’s subsequent president and vp spent the eve of their inauguration Sunday hanging poles over a murky pond at a shrimp fishing farm.
President-elect Lai Ching-te and his deputy Hsiao Bi-khim took visiting international dignitaries, together with presidents and a king, on the fishing expedition on the Zhishan shrimp fishing farm within the capital Taipei.
Shrimp fishing is a well-liked pastime in Taiwan, particularly on weekends when households flock to farms to catch and grill the crustaceans.
In entrance of the cameras, Sunday’s unlikely group of anglers appeared relaxed as they sat in chairs round an indoor pond whereas black-clad attendants helpfully tied bait to the top of their fishing strains.
Lai, Hsiao and their visitors, together with some leaders from a handful of nations that keep diplomatic relations with Taiwan, waited patiently for the shrimp to chunk.
“Taiwan will not be alone,” Lai, wearing an open-necked striped shirt, instructed guests after arriving on the fish farm.
“We now have been working with worldwide associates such as you, who additionally defend the values of democracy, freedom and human rights.”
Lai, the son of a coal miner, provided some helpful recommendation to the fishermen.
“The shrimp will play with the bait first, so watch for them to swallow it earlier than pulling the road,” Lai stated.
It wasn’t lengthy till the primary shrimp have been pulled out of the water.
Attentive assistants have been able to unhook the bugs and throw them into inexperienced nets in entrance of every individual.
As he prepares for the advanced challenges of the presidency, together with avoiding a battle with China (which claims Taiwan as a part of its personal territory), Lai might have been wanting to be seen succeeding within the comparatively simpler activity of fishing a shrimp.
After a sluggish begin, he pulled out a number of giant crustaceans to cheers and applause from observers.
However he was no match for the king of the landlocked African nation of Eswatini, who wore tracksuits and caught shrimp after shrimp.
King Mswati III was finally declared the winner with the most important catch, whereas Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine got here in second.
They each acquired fishing rods as a prize, which they raised triumphantly.