TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) and his delegation arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport on Monday (Dec. 16), ahead of tomorrow's Twin-City Forum (雙城論壇). They were welcomed by Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華). Though no media interviews were arranged at the airport, Hua Yuan remained tight-lipped when reporters inquired about his expectations for the forum. When asked if he believed the event would “strengthen cross-strait relations,” he offered no response, nor did he comment on his confidence regarding the forum.
Outside the airport, demonstrators from the New Party (新黨) and the Unionist Party (統促黨) held signs to welcome Hua, emphasizing the importance of cross-strait exchanges for Taiwan's safety. Meanwhile, Taiwan Republic Office (台灣國) director Chilly Chen (陳峻涵) led a protest, holding banners that advocated for the "One Country on Each Side" policy while criticizing Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) through a microphone.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Shanghai delegation will visit various locations across the city, including the Taipei Dome (大巨蛋) and a social housing project. They are also expected to sign memorandums of understanding on smart medical care and red panda conservation. Amid rising cross-strait tensions, this year's forum marks the first in-person municipal exchange in Taipei since 2018 and the first hosted by Mayor Chiang. The Taipei City Government will host a dinner for the delegation at the Grand Hotel Taipei (圓山飯店) on Monday evening.
Several analysts noted that the Twin City Forum remains one of the few official communication channels between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The forum, officially set to begin on Tuesday, aims to foster dialogue between the two cities amid complex cross-strait relations.
