'Made in Taiwan'? A label not too unfamiliar? That apart, how much more does an average Bangalorean know about Taiwan — as an underdeveloped agricultural island or a growing  economic power. That Acer comes from Taiwan. "There is a curiosity in the City to know more about Taiwan." At least that's precisely what Andrew L Y Hsia, representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre feels.

Hsia, who was in the City with his delegation to participate in the international conference organised by the Bangalore University, presented '21st Century Taiwan' to Bangaloreans. "I am fairly new to Bangalore though I have visited the other Southern States," Andrew admits.  "Two hours actually," he laughs. "Haven't seen much of it though. I have heard a lot about it. Bangalore being Bangalore with its hi-tech companies, the call centres, the Space Research Centre...  In fact Taiwanese Parliamentarians were here sometime back," he recalls.

Taiwan has risen above the agricultural island that it once was, thanks to its high-technology goods. Taiwan's bond with the City has been growing with its technology. Hsia goes on," our two countries speak different languages, our infrastructure is different, our people are different . We  want to change that. We need more contacts through exchange programmes, media, trade, tourism, education and investment. Incidentally, the government and the people here have great expectations from Taiwan."

In the City with a lot of disposable income, where Chinese products are a shopper's delight price-wise,  but hold the 'tag' of being sub-standard, Hsia laughs,"I do not want to comment on others, but you can rest be assured that what Taiwan produces is 100 per cent quality goods and is reasonably priced.  And then comes the statement, "as opposed to Chinese, our's is definitely better."

With Taiwan having a large majority of Buddhists and Taoists, there's one question that is inevitable — Tibet and the protests echoing all over India. And of course the Dalai Lama. Hsia doesn't  have to think twice, "we do have relations with Dalai Lama. I've met him. He's a highly-respected person and what he wants is a dialogue. I LIKE him."