Singapore is practicing “orchid diplomacy”: US Vice President Kamala Harris is named after the city-state’s national plant.
Singapore – Singapore named an orchid after the Democratic politician on the occasion of US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit.
The 56-year-old received a certificate in the presidential palace on Monday in which she was officially named after the hybrid plant called “Papilionanda Kamala Harris”. The orchid is the national plant of the Southeast Asian city-state.
A magnificent specimen of the flower was emblazoned on a table with “light purple-pink flowers adorned with striking pink spots and mosaics and a magenta lip,” as the Singapore newspaper “Straits Times” wrote. In the past, Singapore had named orchids after the British Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher and the Japanese Emperor Akihito, among others. This honor is also known as “orchid diplomacy” in the economic metropolis.
Harris had arrived in Singapore on Sunday. She first met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday. Until Tuesday, she also wants to speak to other government officials, visit a military base and give a speech on US engagement in the region. She then travels to Vietnam. dpa
