A Taste of Taiwan. That’s the thought that’s ringing in my spirit as I struggled to share my experience or experiences from my eight-day trip to the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan. Yes, there were so many experiences until a taste of many is a whole lot. Therefore, I want to share just 10 such experiences.

• No. 1 — Let’s start with the food because it’s so symbolic of a Taste of Taiwan. Most meals contained many courses. We ate from small saucers so we could not heap our plates with just one particular food. Courses were served one at a time and they just kept coming, containing anywhere from 13 to 23 dishes. Each meal was a special experience.

We wondered how the Chinese people remained so small with such lavish meals. But then we realized that the average Chinese does not have that many courses every meal. We were experiencing the Emperor’s treatment.

• No. 2 —Taiwan is a small country geographically. Its 12,456 square miles make it less than a quarter the size of Alabama’s 52,423 square miles. Less than 30 percent of its land is inhabitable but still it boasts some 23 million citizens. That makes it the second most densely populated country in the world. Yet, the cities are among the cleanest and safest with murder being a truly rare occurrence. I do not have the figures, but I suspect that fewer murders are committed in this country of 23 million than in Selma/Dallas County with its population of 46,000. That’s one Taste of Taiwan.

No. 3 — Today’s Taiwan sprung from the Civil War in China in the late 1940’s. When the Communists won in 1949, the Government of China retreated from Mainland China with some 600,000 citizens, taking up residence in Taiwan. Japan had previously occupied Taiwan from 1895 to the end of World War II. The Taiwan government continued to claim all Mainland China as its territory and Mainland China claimed Taiwan as part of its territory. This made for a tense and confrontational relationship for a half century.

When I was in Taiwan in 2005, there was not a single flight from Taiwan to Mainland China or vice versa. But things have changed a lot with there now being some 350 flights per week between the countries and economic activity is surging.

No. 4 – Taiwan has very limited natural resources but it has become the ninth largest economic power in the world. That’s a testimony to the determination and ingenuity of its people. They possess the unique ability to stay on the cutting edge of technology and manufacturing as demonstrated during our visit to ASUS, Inc., an electronic manufacturing firm producing 3D television and other state of the art items. That’s one Taste of Taiwan.

No. 5 – The original (native) people of Taiwan, called Aboriginals, are of Polynesian background, not Asian. We met some as dark in color as I am. Their lands were taken and their culture broken by the Japanese occupation from 1895 to the end of World War II. The meal we had at an Aboriginal restaurant was 17 courses and probably our best food experience among so many great food experiences.

No. 6 – Our delegation included legislators from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina and was officially led by Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman. The Taiwan Government paid for the trip because it is in a unique and vulnerable position. From 1949 to 1979, they were the United States’ closest ally in the Far East until the U. S. and Mainland China established normal diplomatic relations. One condition Mainland China required was the official non—recognition of the Republic of China, which became Taiwan.

The potential economic power of a billion people caused the U.S. to cave in and sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, a special unofficial relationship with Taiwan continues to this day. Taiwan courts state leaders as well as national leaders. That’s a Taste of Taiwan.

No. 7 — Everyday was filled with activities starting between 8-9 a.m. and continuing into the night. We visited the following: economic institutions including those producing electronics, tobacco, liquor; governmental institutions including the Foreign Ministry, Parliament, and Department of Health and other entities such as the mountainous state park and multiple museums.

No. 8 — One of the most impressive diplomatic performances I have ever witnessed was displayed by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Taiwan. He knew leaders personally in each state represented by our delegation. He also knew a lot about the politics and economics of each state. He just might know America better than many of us. That’s one Taste of Taiwan

No. 9 — The people were courteous and friendly, displaying a special appreciation for the people of United States. Gift giving is a major theme of the culture. Erica Lee, our delegation guide, was talented in making each of us feel special and getting us to move timely.

No. 10 — My dominant impression involved the capacity of the people to not only take what they have and make what they need, but to excel on the world stage in spite of constant threats from one of the world’s biggest and most powerful countries in the world while being officially unrecognized among nations. These are Tastes of Taiwan. Take your pick.

EPILOGUE – Every situation is an opportunity to learn. Few situations present more opportunities to learn than travel to other countries with very different cultures. Taiwan was such a situation. Taiwan was such an opportunity.

Sen. Hank Sanders represents Dallas County in the Alabama Legislature.