Celebrating Taiwan National Day in Edinburgh

The 113th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was celebrated at the City Chambers on Thursday evening with a civic reception when Buba Tea and Taiwanese whisky were served alongside Scottish fare.

Director General Chi-Hua Ding of the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. Edinburgh Office had invited Taiwanese people living in Edinburgh as well as local politicians to the City Chambers to raise a toast to Taiwan. And during his speech he mentioned that Scotland is a special place – not least because Taiwan is the fourth largest importer of Scotch whisky.

According to the Scotch Whisky Association the island with a population of just under 25 million people imported around £340 million of our national drink last year. But importantly more than 90% of their whisky imports are from Scotland itself.

And the UK import items from Taiwan – including most of the parts in our mobile phones.

The Director General who is the country’s highest ranking diplomat in Scotland mentioned the other important contributions from Scot James Laidlaw Maxwell who was a medical doctor at the forefront of developing modern medicine in Taiwan. There is now a plaque on the Royal Mile explaining his significant work. It displays the logos of Tainan City, Edinburgh and Sin-Lau Hospital where he worked recognising the friendship and connection between the two countries. On the 100th anniversary of the doctor’s death in 1921 a memorial event was held in Tainan City.

In summer 2024, the Taiwan Season was part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with many productions at Summerhall, Dance Base and Assembly. It is proposed that the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival will forge a relationship with musicians in Taiwan.

Cllr Cammy Day introduced his speech with a few words in Taiwanese or Holo but the country also uses Mandarin, Hakka, and Austronesian languages. He talked of the democratic elections in the country and also that Taiwan became the first Asian country to allow LGBT relationships and, in 2019, legalised same sex marriage.

As Typhoon Krathon made its way across the island this week causing injuries and damage to property, speakers acknowledged the treacherous weather, hoping that it would soon pass through the country without too much incident.

As well as Director General Chi-Hua Ding, others present included The Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, Council Leader Cammy Day, Cllr Jason Rust, Chair of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Cllr James Dalgleish and Cllr Dan Heap. Provost Jim Todd from East Ayrshire, Provost Bill Campbell from Dundee and Cllr Lawrence Fitzpatrick of West Lothian Council also attended.