Taipei:Taiwan's ambassador to the Marshall Islands has returned home and will vacate his position, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This decision follows a contentious proposal for a National Day drag show.
According to Focus Taiwan, the controversy began when local media reported that MOFA had deemed Herbert Hsu's suggestion for an October 10 performance "inappropriate." The situation escalated when a rehearsal video emerged, showing Hsu being carried on a wooden bed by eight Marshallese men, drawing bipartisan criticism.
During a legislative session, Michael Lin, director-general of MOFA's Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that Hsu had been informed of the expectations for formal attire and a solemn demeanor during National Day celebrations. Vice Foreign Minister Baushuan Ger also communicated similar expectations to Hsu.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung noted that the ministry successfully avoided a significant controversy and recalled Hsu for clarification and review to prevent future incidents. He confirmed that Taiwan maintained communication with the Marshall Islands government, which supported Taiwan's handling of the matter.
Lin emphasized that the incident was solely personal behavior and assured that it would not impact bilateral relations. Hsu had assumed the ambassadorial role in December 2025, and the Taiwan embassy in the Marshall Islands is now led by Minister Hank Liu, the second-in-command.
