TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Deputy Taipei Mayor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華) expressed optimism on Tuesday (Dec. 17), believing that a political thaw will eventually replace the current chill. Lin spoke at the "Taipei-Shanghai City Forum" (台北上海城市論壇), held at the Regent Taipei (晶華酒店), highlighting the forum's focus on innovative governance and a sustainable future.
Lin emphasized the forum's significance as a vital dialogue mechanism between the two cities, bridging the current cross-strait relations gap. She hoped peaceful and stable exchanges would extend across the Taiwan Strait. This year's forum, the first in-person meeting post-pandemic, carries special significance for Taipei and Shanghai.
The forum, themed around innovative governance and a sustainable future, will witness the signing of memorandums of understanding on innovative healthcare and animal conservation. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) led the Shanghai delegation toured several municipal highlights, fostering city-to-city exchanges.
Lin reiterated the forum's role as the most significant regular dialogue window between the two cities, undeterred by the pandemic and political tensions. She stated that the forum shoulders the heavy responsibility of urban and civil exchanges, replacing confrontation with dialogue and contributing to peaceful cross-strait exchanges.
