Shawn Tan
Image credit: Taiwan News
Just when you start to think that our passports are the most useless things for 2020, Taiwan has other ideas. A contest for the new Taiwan passport design is currently underway. And design fanatics / Taiwan-lovers will not be disappointed!
The contest is divided into two groups: the International Standards Group and the Creative Group. Entries for the former must comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for passports. This means they have to meet country names, national symbols, document descriptions, and passport chip requirements.
To cast your vote, all you have to do is to visit the dedicated website, Taiwanpassport.tw, and cast your vote from 1 to 30 August 2020.
Shortlisted designs varied and interesting
Entries for the new Taiwan passport design range from stylish to quirky. But they have one thing in common: they feature elements that are emblematic of the country in their own ways. One of them features the Taiwanese blue pheasant:
Image credit: Taiwanpassport.tw
There’s one called ‘Butterfly of Formosa’ that cleverly weaves in the geographical outline of Taiwan:
Image credit: Taiwanpassport.tw
Not forgetting our favourite Taiwanese food and beverages!
Like bubble tea:
Image credit: Taiwanpassport.tw
And even lu rou fan (braised pork rice). Yummy!
Image credit: Taiwanpassport.tw
Also read: Taiwan Reopens Borders to Foreign Nationals for Non-Tourist Entry
As it stands, the Butterfly of Formosa is the running favourite as the most popular new Taiwan passport design. We like how it is both whimsical, elegant and gives us butterflies in our stomach. Here’s keeping our fingers crossed that whatever the winning design, we’ll get to use our passports a lot more soon.
