The Taiwan-Ireland Student Association hosted its annual welcome dinner for new arrivals on 16th September. At the invitation of the Association’s President; Ms. Hanna Huang; Representative Simon S.K. Tu attended the dinner to welcome the incoming group of Taiwanese students. Representative Tu commended the Taiwan-Ireland Student Association on their work and pledged the support of Office funding to the Association.
Firstly, Representative Tu thanked President Huang for her invitation and spoke to the students about studying abroad and living in Ireland. He encouraged those present to broaden their horizons and embrace living in Ireland so as to contribute to strengthening Taiwan-Ireland bilateral relations and to use the opportunity to learn more about Ireland and discover its rich cultural life, history and scenery.
Secondly, Representative Tu further spoke of the strong relations between Taiwan and Ireland, in particular in trade with the current two-way trade volume standing at €750 million whilst Ireland has jumped from being Taiwan’s 17th largest trading partner in the EU to its 12th in the past year. He also spoke of Ireland and Taiwan’s similar export-oriented economies and strategic locations as gateways to larger markets. Furthermore, Ireland and Taiwan’s economies are complimentary with Irish agricultural and pharmaceutical products seeing high demand in Taiwan whilst Irish demand is strong for Taiwan’s IT and heavy machinery products.
Finally, Representative Tu remarked of the continuing exchange between Ireland and Taiwan, in particular with the success of the Working Holiday Visa program, the recent arrival of a trade delegation from “Investment Media” magazine to Ireland and the 60 strong delegation from Taiwan’s "Honor Society of Nursing” recently attending an international conference in Dublin. Meanwhile, 63 Irish young athletes recently participated in the 2017 Taipei Universiade. Overall the event proved to be a great success and after enjoying their meal, Representative and Mrs. Tu posed for pictures with the students and wished them the best in their studies.
Representative Simon S.K. Tu speaking to the newly arrived Taiwanese students.
Representative Tu presenting the Chairperson of Taiwan-Ireland Student Association, Hanna Huang with an Office Grant to assist in hosting its events.
Representative and Mrs. Tu (Far right) posing for a group photo with the Taiwan-Ireland Student Association.