Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves is known as a strong supporter of Taiwan on the international stage.
The longest continuously serving head of government since his country became independent in 1979, Gonsalves has visited Taiwan 12 times since becoming prime minister in 2001. His most recent visit was last week to attend the inauguration of President William Lai (賴清德) on Monday.
During his dozen trips to Taiwan, he has met four different presidents — Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and now Lai, who he called “my brother William.”
Photo: CNA
However, none of them have had a more enduring friendship with the Vincentian prime minister over that time than an individual who Gonsalves has met on almost every one of his trips to Taiwan and continues to call his good friend: his Taiwanese barber Chiu Yen-chung (邱炎鐘).
Chiu, 82, has been working for decades as a barber at the Grand Hotel Taipei, a iconic history-laden hotel where foreign dignitaries often stayed during the second half of the 20th century.
Chiu has served two late presidents, Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) and Lee Teng-hui (李登輝).
Gonsalves said that when he first visited Taiwan in 2001, he needed a haircut, and as he was staying at the Grand Hotel, he was introduced to Chiu.
“He told me about the stories, about his history [in cutting the hair of former presidents], and we became friends,” Gonsalves said.
Since then, he has visited Chiu on almost every one of his trips to Taiwan, even if he was not staying at the Grand Hotel.
Gonsalves said that he had his hair cut before visiting Taiwan to attend Lai’s inauguration, but he still booked a slot with Chiu on Tuesday last week to see his old friend.
Chiu said he cut many other world leaders’ hair decades ago at the Grand Hotel, when Taiwan had more diplomatic allies, but Gonsalves is the only foreign political leader he has regularly served in recent years.
“He is very easy-going even though he’s the prime minister,” Chiu said, adding that most other senior politicians are more serious-looking.
The two have maintained an relaxed relationship often punctuated with laughs over the past 12 years, even though Chiu cannot speak fluent English.
The two have communicated through an interpreter assigned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the years, but Gonsalves said Chiu’s “English has improved,” a compliment that Chiu did not buy.
Chiu said the ministry pays Gonsalves’ barber fee but the prime minister always gives him a “very generous tip” himself, although Chiu would not say how much.
Asked about his role as an unofficial diplomat for Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Chiu said he was simply doing his job as a barber and offering the best service he can.
Now in his 80s, Chiu said he would continue to do his job “as long as his health permits.”
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