TAIPEI — Taiwan's pop diva A-Mei scooped top honours at the Golden Melody Awards for Chinese-language pop music on the island's capital on Saturday.

A-Mei, also known as Chang Hui-mei, won best album, best Mandarin female singer and the song of the year after leading the race with ten nominations at the glitzy ceremony in Taipei.

"The award is very meaningful. It let me know persistence, change and love for singing are the right things to do," said an emotional A-Mei as she was crowned best female singer.

A-Mei, who saw off Singapore's Tanya Chua and Hong Kong singer and actress Karen Mok, last won the accolade in 2002.

Her latest rock n roll album "A-Mit" was also recognised in the categories of best production, best lyrics and best arrangement.

A-Mei was arguably the most eye-catching nominee sporting a white wig, a deep V cut black jacket and a mini skirt.

One of the night's biggest surprise came when the absent David Tao beat favourites Eason Chan of Hong Kong and Singapore's JJ Lin to bag best male Mandarin singer.

Performers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore competed in more than 20 categories at the 21st Golden Melody Awards.