Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng's (韓正) tour of Taipei yesterday took him to the MRT and local attractions to experience local culture, but it attracted complaints from some residents over tight security for Han and the Chinese delegation.
Accompanied by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and top-level city officials, Han and the Shanghai delegation toured the National Palace Museum and visited the Beitou Incinerator to gain a deeper understanding of Taipei's efforts in garbage recycling.
The two mayors later took the MRT from Beitou Station to Jiantan Station to experience what Han called “mass culture” in Taipei, causing some chaos as officials, reporters and passengers crowded the stations and the trains.
Hau and the Taipei City Police Department had insisted there would be no extra police force or traffic controls arranged for Han and the delegation. However, a group of security guards followed Han all day yesterday, and traffic lights were timed along the way to clear the traffic for the two mayors' motorcades.
An MRT passenger surnamed Chiang (江) complained about being pushed by the crowd at Beitou Station, urging the city officials and Chinese delegation not to disturb residents with their visiting schedule.
“I am on my way to school, and it's really annoying that I have to wait and let those government officials get in the trains first,” she said.
Unbothered by the complaints, Han used the MRT EasyCard to enter and leave the stations, and lauded Taipei’s MRT system for its great management.
“I am impressed by the management of the Taipei MRT system, and Shanghai should learn from Taipei's experience,” he said.
Hau welcomed Han to visit Taipei again soon to experience more local culture, and formally invited him to attend the Taipei International Flora Expo in November.
Han accepted the invitation, but declined to confirm whether or not he will attend the event.
Han attended a luncheon hosted by Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kun (江丙坤) earlier yesterday, and met with former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) for dinner.
Han will visit Taichung and Taoyuan today and leave tomorrow.
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