According to the British "Guardian", Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and many other foreign media reported on December 16, a few days ago, former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack (Michael McCormack) (Michael McCormack) during a visit to Pacific island countries with Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian and others, because he drank a whole bowl of local traditional drinks in one breath, vomited on the spot, and was then rushed to the hospital.
According to McCormack afterwards, he became "cross-eyed" at one point and slept for more than a dozen hours after receiving dehydration treatment in the hospital. He also said he only drank the drink "to show respect for local traditions," but did not expect the consequences to be so severe.
Screenshot of the British newspaper The Guardian report
Since December 12, local time, Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingxian led a bipartisan delegation to visit Vanuatu, Micronesia and Palau, three Pacific island countries, of which former Australian Deputy Prime Minister McCormack is one of them.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on the 16th, local time on the 14th, the bipartisan delegation arrived in the Federated States of Micronesia to meet with Michigan President Panuelo. Subsequently, an official reception ceremony was held on Pohnpei Island to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During this time, McCormack was offered a kava called "sakau" as a ceremonial drink (kava is a pepper plant in the Pacific Islands, in Pohnpei kava is called sakau). In some parts of the South Pacific, the kava ritual is a high-standard ritual in which people usually drink a bowl of kava in one go, which is called liquor but is actually a non-alcoholic beverage. In Fiji, for example, guests attending a kava ceremony are invited to drink the wine served. On the 13th, McCormack and Huang Yingxian drank kava with local officials during a visit to Vanuatu.
Thus, when the Michigan Federation was offered kava, McCormack drank a full bowl of "sakau" "as a sign of respect for local traditions." However, then, McCormack turned into a "cross-eyed" in front of the president of the Michigan Federation and other dignitaries and vomited on the spot.
"I tried to show respect. They made it in front of us, squeezing juice from those huge roots. It has a spicy taste, and I feel good within 10 to 15 minutes of drinking it," McCormack told the Guardian on the 16th, after which he felt unwell, "I looked at Huang Yingxian and said, 'I'm not comfortable'." I cross-eyed. It's true. And then someone gave me a bucket..."
In a video of the ceremony shared by local media, McCormack can be seen sitting there, holding his head in his hands, members of the Australian delegation fanning him, massaging his back, and vomiting with a trash can. He was then helped into a car and rushed to a nearby hospital for observation and examination.
McCormack reportedly received treatment for dehydration in the hospital and was admitted to the Australian ambassador's residence after being discharged. "I slept for 14 hours," McCormack said. "In my entire parliamentary career, I haven't slept like this. I don't think I have slept this long since I was a teenager. ”
McCormack told the Guardian that he had previously drunk 5 bowls of kava in Vanuatu, but did not expect that drinking only one bowl in Michigan would have such serious consequences. According to the Guardian, "sakau", as the Secret Seal kava, is actually the same as other cava in the Pacific, alcohol-free and known for its narcotic sedative effects. When used properly, it can reduce anxiety while also helping to numb pain.
According to CNN, the production method of "sakau" is to mash the roots of the sakau plant on a special stone, add water and mix with the juice of hibiscus, and then drink it in a coconut shell. However, "sakau" is stronger than other cava and is usually recommended for small sips.
Because of the accident, McCormack missed the last leg of the Pacific trip, staying in Parikil, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, to retire while the delegation headed to Palau, its final destination. On the 16th, McCormack, who was in good health, returned to Australia.
McCormack said he did not want his experience to distract him from the Pacific trip, stressing in particular the "importance" of the latest security cooperation agreement signed by the Australian delegation with the Prime Minister during its visit to Vanuatu.
The security agreement McCormack referred to is the second in the Pacific that Australia has signed in the Pacific in two months. Britain's Reuters analyzed on the 11th that for decades, Australia has regarded the Pacific region as its sphere of influence, and with the increasing influence of China, Australia has been trying to consolidate its position in the region. The Guardian also said when reporting the agreement on the 13th that Australia's move is aimed at competing with China for influence in the region.
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