Dialogue and interaction are imperative for both sides of the Taiwan Strait during heightened tensions, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said yesterday after announcing plans to attend the Shanghai-Taipei Forum in China from Aug. 29 to 31.
The forum would be in-person for the first time in three years due to COVID-19 restrictions, Chiang said, adding that he would conduct inter-city exchanges with dignity and goodwill in the hope that both sides would benefit.
Chiang, a member of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), said that Taiwanese want peace and prosperity across the Strait.
Photo: CNA
His stance has never wavered on the issue, he added.
The theme of this year’s forum is “new trends and developments,” with the Taipei Department of Information Technology and the Shanghai City Government to discuss open source technology and the “smart city” trend, he said.
The forum, in keeping with past events, would have subforums with experts discussing issues including smart medicine, digital economies and sustainable environments, he said.
Three memorandums of understanding would be signed covering meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition tourism, and badminton, he added.
Since 2010, the forum has been held 13 times, with each event an opportunity for both sides to learn from each other, Chiang said, adding that they provide a platform to exchange opinions on city governance.
Asked if he would meet with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng (龔正) or China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Director Song Tao (宋濤), Chiang said only that he would meet with representatives of Shanghai.
The remainder of the trip would include tours of care facilities for elderly people and children, libraries and other facilities, he added.
Asked whether the trip would affect Taiwan’s presidential elections next year, Chiang said that it is an established event that the Mainland Affairs Council said it was “happy to see held.”
The Taipei City Government had informed the council of the procedures and itineraries, including the memorandums of understanding, which the council has read and approved, he said.
Taipei City Councilor Chen E-jun (陳怡君) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that China’s continuous military activities around Taiwan are a slap in the face of Chiang, while Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) of the DPP accused the mayor of self-belittlement by announcing the visit while being oblivious to China’s bullying.
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