Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated at the Twin City Forum that he must express his earnest expectations regarding peace, tension, and development between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. He mentioned that there should be "more olive branches of peace and less sour grapes of conflict."
The Shanghai-Taipei Twin City Forum commenced on the morning of the 17th in Taipei. This year's theme is set as "Smart Governance, Sustainable Future." After the memorandum of understanding signing session concluded, KMT-affiliated Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an delivered concluding remarks.
Chiang Wan-an stated that regardless of the changes in cross-strait situations, the Twin City Forum has continued for 15 years, describing that maintaining 15 years of local affairs exchange is not something that comes easily.
Chiang Wan-an emphasized that as an elected mayor, he must express his earnest expectations regarding peace, tension, and development across the Taiwan Strait. He thus put forward three points: "more dialogue, less confrontation," "more olive branches of peace, less sour grapes of conflict," and "more fishing boat lights adorning the sunset, fewer roaring ships and planes."
The Fate of the Great Era Restrains Personal Destiny
Chiang Wan-an further said that many people believe that the fate of the great era will restrain personal destiny. However, he firmly believes that if individuals and even two cities fully strive, there is an opportunity to reverse the direction of the fate of the great era.
Chiang Wan-an also stated that the mere fact that the Twin City Forum has not been suspended and continues baton by baton proves that Taipei and Shanghai have contributed to peaceful exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
The Twin City Forum has been held annually since 2010, with Shanghai and Taipei taking turns hosting. Delegations are led by senior administrative officials from both sides to participate in the forum.
Hua Yuan: First visit to Taipei, Very Friendly
Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan, in his speech, sincerely invited vast Taipei citizens and Taiwan compatriots to visit Shanghai while hoping that Shanghai citizens could visit Taiwan and Taipei more frequently.
Hua Yuan pointed out that Shanghai will actively promote travel groups to Taiwan, and the itinerary will definitely include Taipei. This is the first Chinese city officially announcing the resumption of travel groups to Taiwan after the pandemic restrictions were lifted.
Hua Yuan expressed that it was his first visit to Taipei and found it very friendly. He believes that the people of Shanghai and Taipei share common topics, have similar development concepts, and that both sides hope for stable and long-lasting exchange and cooperation. This also encourages him to actively solve practical problems and difficulties for the citizens of both places, allowing the citizens to have a stronger sense of gain and happiness.
Hua Yuan indicated that the Twin City Forum has been ongoing for fourteen years, during which mutual learning and win-win cooperation have been achieved. He is confident that under the joint efforts of the two city governments and citizens, the Twin City Forum will certainly achieve more substantial outcomes and better gather the citizens of both cities.