I need to to thank Yann Martel for writing this incredible, inspiring book. Everyone at Fox, thank you for taking the leap with me. Especially Tom Rothman, Jim Gianopulos and Elizabeth Gabler. My producers, Gil Netter, David Womark, David Lee. Wonderful cast. Suraj, where are you? You’re a miracle. He’s playing the young Pi, carrying the movie. Every one of you in the cast. I cannot waste this time talking about them. You’re the golden statue in my heart.

I cannot make this movie with the help of Taiwan. We shot there. I want to thank everybody there who helped us. Especially the city of Taichung. My Indian crew, I love you. My Canadian crew, I love you. My family in Taiwan. My wife, Jane Lin. We’ll be married 30 years this summer. I love you. My boys, Han and Mason, thank you for your support. Finally, my agent, Carin Sage and lawyer, Ira Schreck, and Joe Dapello, I have to do that. Especially for this movie, it’s great to have your support. Thank you, Academy. Xie xie, namaste.

Of course, Taiwan promptly celebrated the win, highlighting Ang Lee’s special mention of the country. No less than Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou posted his congratulations on his FB page together with this photo of his visit to the LIFE OF PI set in Taichung.

Ang Lee acknowledged that LIFE OF PI couldn’t have been possible without the help of Taiwan, that allowed him to build a water tank in a studio in Taichung.

Other famous Taiwanese who congratulated Ang Lee include Wang Lee Hom, who worked with him in LUST, CAUTION; and Chen Bolin.

This is the photo that Wang Lee Hom posted on his FB page together with the message:

恭喜導演，實至名歸. Congratulations Ang Lee, a well deserved win.

Last month, when the Oscars nominations were announced, Lee Hom also posted a congratulatory message:

11 項奧斯卡提名! 恭喜少年Pi, 恭喜李安導演！ Congratulations Ang Lee and the cast and crew of “Life of Pi” for 11 Oscar nominations!

Chen Bolin posted this photo on his Instagram together with the message:

Congratulations !!!!! Director Ang Lee !!! Life of Pi 2013 Oscar !

The pride is evident among my Taiwanese friends on FB but you don’t have to be Taiwanese to be proud of Ang Lee. Through his work and his personal experience, Ang Lee has proven that one can overcome language and cultural barriers, and be successful, yet remain humble.

Never mind if China is understandably sour over his win with Xinhua deleting the Taiwan reference in its report, according to this link provided by @TheGoldenRock (nice photo though Xinhua).

Well, eat your heart out China.

This post ranks as GREEN but let’s have some tea cocktail to celebrate Ang Lee’s Oscar victory.

More about this blog’s tea ranking here.

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