The celebration of the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) was hosted by the Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands on 4 October with a stylish reception in the Marriott Hotel in The Hague. The reception attracted around three hundred guests, including dignitaries, residing Diplomats and the Taiwanese community in the Netherlands.

After a hearty welcome, H.E. Amb. Tom Chou revealed in his speech that Taiwan sets the goal to cover 20% of Taiwan’s total energy need by renewable energy by 2025. In the area of green energy, Taiwan will invest 14 billion euros for the development of its wind power.

In the past 70 years Taiwan encountered more challenges than averaged countries, including military threat, poverty and natural disasters. However, the adversities do not overshadow Taiwan, but make it stronger. It is the 18^th largest trading nation in the world and world’s leading manufacturer of  IC products. Moreover, Taiwan has one of the most advanced technology in dealing with earthquakes and typhoons. It has donated US$6 billion for humanitarian aid to countries in need since 1996.

H.E. Chou concluded with lauding Taiwan for being listed as one of the top ten countries recommended by Rough Guide UK this year to tourists to visit for its beautiful landscape, rich cultures, delicious food and friendly people.

Dr. Frans Engering, President of the World Trade Center The Hague and former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), focused on the trade and economic relations between Taiwan and the Netherlands. Bilateral trade grew by 35% in 2016. Taiwan is the 4^th largest export market for the Netherlands in Asia while the Netherlands is the biggest European investor in Taiwan. For Taiwanese investments in Europe, the Netherlands is, together with Germany and the UK, the most important host country in Europe.  There are around 200 Taiwanese companies in the Netherlands.  As a champion in high-tech, 90% of chips in the world are produced in Taiwan or by Taiwan companies, Dr. Engering said.

At the reception there was also a showcase of high-tech Taiwan made bicycles Giant and Darfon E-bikes. The Giant bicycle of Tom Dumoulin, the first Dutch male cyclist who won the Giro d’ Italia in May, was displayed and attracted the special attention of cyclists and bike lovers among the audience.

Luster was further added to the reception by live music performances of traditional and modern Taiwanese songs by the Cheng String Quartet and by a flash mob choir performed by CEOs of the Taiwanese business community in the Netherlands. In return, the Dutch guests also contributed their share and showed their talents by jointly singing along a popular Dutch song. All this added a cozy and pleasant ambiance to the party.  A lavish buffet winded up a successful National Day celebration that lasted long after the official closing time with friends of Taiwan in The Hague.