Taiwan Business Guide - Management and Business Studies Portal

Getting Started
language
Working hours
Working hours in Taiwan are:
9.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday
Public holidays
Public holidays in Taiwan reflect
both Chinese and Western
influences. Traditional festivals
(holidays) include:
• Chinese New Year – Lunar New
Year’s Eve and first three days of
the first lunar month
• Dragon Boat Festival – fifth day
of the fifth lunar month
• Mid-Autumn Festival – 15th day
of the eighth lunar month
Other official holidays include:
• 1 January – Founding Day
• 28 February – Peace Memorial
Day
• 4 April – Children’s Day
• 5 April – Tomb Sweeping Day
• 10 October – National Day
Mandarin Chinese is the official business
language of Taiwan. However, Chinese
Traditional script is used rather than
Chinese Simplified script – the latter only
being used in mainland China. English is
widely spoken.
While high-level business meetings may be
conducted mainly in English, your hosts
will appreciate it if you use their language
whenever possible. When speaking in
English, remember to speak slowly and to
repeat key points. In order to save face,
your Taiwanese hosts will not necessarily
say that they don’t understand something.
Interpreters may be required for business
meetings, particularly outside Taipei
and other major cities. All important
negotiations should be carried out with an
interpreter present so as to avoid doubt.
It is also advisable to have all written
documents translated into Mandarin
Chinese. UKTI can help you find a
translator or interpreter.
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