EDINBURGH City Council has passed a resolution affirming its friendship with the nation of Taiwan and calling for closer collaboration in the future.
The motion – put forward the council’s depute leader, Edinburgh Labour’s Cammy Day, acknowledges the relations that have developed between Scotland and Taiwan in areas such as green and renewable energy, science and technology, and specific partnerships such as those between the University of Edinburgh and the National Taiwan Ocean University on offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, as well as Taiwan’s long-standing relationship with Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
The motion also notes the joint efforts between the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology, and how ‘Taiwan Season’ has been actively involved in the Edinburgh Fringe for a number of years.
The motion commits to an agreement that the Chief Executive should report on a “potential memorandum of understand” to help foster these collaborations in the future.
Speaking at an online plenary session last week, Councillor Day said: “Edinburgh has a long-standing link with Taiwan… going back for a very long time, and they’ve had a consular office here in the city for decades.
“The Taiwan Association itself is also an active group of Taiwanese citizens here in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, who’ve made Edinburgh and Scotland their home.
“Edinburgh has a rich heritage, and as a progressive city, shares some of these qualities of freedom, democracy and human rights – not something Taiwan’s main neighbouring countries can proudly share.”
The Taipei Representative Office in the UK told the National: “On behalf of the ROC (Taiwan) government, the Office would like to express our gratitude toward the City of Edinburgh Council and for the motion passed.
“Edinburgh's friendship with Taiwan could be traced back to more than 150 years ago, when Scottish missionaries Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell, Rev. George Leslie Mackay and more, went on their journey and brought modern medicine, tap water system, education etc to Taiwan. Their contribution still benefits and is well-remembered by Taiwanese nowadays.
“Based on our close historical links, Taiwan and Edinburgh have developed a wide range of cooperation on various topics in recent years. Edinburgh and Taiwan share the same values as democracy, human rights, freedom and equality.
“Based on the solid foundations provided by our work and values together, the Office very much look forward to further deepening our friendship and fostering more collaborations in the future.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel