Lu touts `island wear' as costume uniquely Taiwan

In a bid to boost Taiwan's national identity at international meetings as well as economize on energy usage, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday showcased specially designed "island-wear" shirts that are made of local fabrics with a distinct Taiwanese flavor.

Speaking at a seminar entitled "How to promote Taiwan island-wear shirts," Lu said the idea was inspired by China, host country of the 2001 APEC summit, that dressed world leaders attending the summit in traditional Chinese garb for an official photograph.

"At that time, when China used traditional clothes worn during the Tan dynasty as its national costume, I started to ponder what clothes could be regarded as Taiwan's national costume," she said.

Lu said the aim to conserve energy and help the country reduce greenhouse-gas emissions was another catalyst in the creation of the "island-wear" shirts.

"Taiwan is a member of the global village and it therefore also shoulders the responsibility of reducing the squandering of energy and pollution of the environment," Lu said.

"We should in the future step up our efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and enhance efficient energy usage," she said.

Lu said that there are many issues that Taiwan needs to engage in to conserve energy.

She said that high electricity consumption during Lantern Festival activities and the like don't quite fit into the concept of energy conservation.

Taiwan island-wear shirts were also supported by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Lu said, and they echoed Premier Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) recent call for a casual-dress code that would result in reduced use of air conditioners, thus saving electricity.