In recent years, the number of flights between Taiwan and Europe has dramatically increased, and Europe has become popular for Taiwanese young people to work and study. This is a remarkable achievement accomplished by the former ambassador to France, Ming-zhong Zhang. Ambassador Zhang was invited by the Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs to introduce the European culture and society, political system, the European Union, Taiwan-EU relations, and his Michelin French gourmet experience at the "Lecture Series on International Education". NCUE President Ming-fei Chen hosted the event. International Office Dean Melody Wen was also present. It is expected that this lecture help nurture students' worldviews.
 
Ambassador Zhang, currently working at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has served as the representative to France, the EU, Belgium, the Ambassador to Burkina Faso, etc.; once served as Chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Senior Executive Officer at the Office of the President. Ambassador Zhang handled several cases of the establishment or resumption of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and some African countries, as well as the signing of working holiday agreements with France, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, among others. During the three years of staying in France, the weekly flights between Taiwan and France increased significantly, facilitating youth exchanges between the two countries. According to the Taiwan Representative Office in France, when Ambassador Zhang resigned, the number of French students studying in Taiwan exceeded 1,000, which was the highest among European countries, and France also attracted approximately 2,500 Taiwanese students there to study, making it the first choice for studying in Europe.
 
French cuisine attaches great importance to wine-food collocation. The "Food & Wine" column first appearing in the world-known Michelin Guide was in 1928. French cuisine has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2010. Ambassador Zhang shared his dining experience during his stay in France, such as the rules for wine and food pairings, wine serving and preservation, wine tasting, dining etiquette, and table manners.
 
Ambassador Zhang also elaborated on European culture and diverse societies, including languages, religious beliefs, calendar systems, state and political systems, and the historical origins of Taiwan-Europe relations. He further talked about the EU's history, decision-making mechanism, sources of law, foreign trade, and its Asia-Pacific strategy. He also described with rich pictures the urban landscapes and characteristics of the 10 destinations to which there are direct flights from Taiwan, such as Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris. NCUE President Chen, who once studied in Germany, stated that Europe, with a long history, is the aggregation of humane culture, and each country has its own characteristics. He encouraged students to use the knowledge gained in this lecture to travel and study in Europe after the epidemic is brought under control in the future.