On Sunday, 8th October, the Taipei Representative Office, in cooperation with the Taiwan-Ireland Association and Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese, marked the 106th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with a Flag-Raising Ceremony and Mandarin Chinese Speech Competition in Leinster Cricket Club, Dublin, joined by members of the Taiwanese community. The event proved to be a great success held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
In his speech to those present, Representative Simon S.K. Tu thanked the organisers and participants for their hard work and cooperation in events with the Taipei Representative Office throughout the year. He also spoke of the great strides made in foreign and domestic policy by Taiwan in the past year, in particular its score of 91 out of a possible 100 in the Freedom House index and a ranking of 45th in the world for press freedom by Reporters without Borders. Taiwan also played host to a number of prestigious international events during the year, including the 2017 World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) and 2017 Taipei Universiade.
The Flag-Raising Ceremony was followed by the Second Annual Mandarin Chinese Speech Competition. Children from many different backgrounds took part and Representative Tu congratulated them all before presenting the participants with Certificates of Merit and crystal trophy for the top competitors. Representative Tu encouraged those present to continue learning Mandarin Chinese as it is the most widely spoken language in the world and thus of great use for their education and future careers. A Chinese buffet reception followed the Competition with the day’s events having been a wonderful occasion of cultural exchange and understanding between the two peoples.
Representative & Mrs. Tu (centre) joined by participants at the Annual Flag-Raising Ceremony in Leinster Cricket Club, Dublin.
Representative Tu speaking to competitors and guests at the Second Annual Mandarin Chinese Speech Competition.
Principal of the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese, Ms. Evan Liu, speaking to those present.
Representative Tu presenting the crystal trophy to the overall winner of the Competition.