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.”