The 2024 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum kicked off on Tuesday in Taipei, marking a significant step towards enhanced cooperation between the two vibrant cities. This year’s forum, themed “Smart governance, sustainable future,” underscored the shared vision for integrated urban development and sustainable growth.
During the opening ceremony, Hua Yuan, deputy mayor of Shanghai, highlighted new memoranda of cooperation in smart health care and the exchange and conservation of red pandas. “This forum provides an excellent opportunity to deepen our collaboration in key areas such as transportation, water management, health care, and environmental protection,” Hua stated.
Hua also encouraged residents of Taiwan and Shanghai to explore each other’s cities, announcing that Shanghai would be promoting group tours to Taiwan in the coming months. “Building bridges between our communities fosters mutual understanding and paves the way for a prosperous future,” he added.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an emphasized the importance of the forum amidst challenging times, noting that continuous cross-Straits communication is essential. “Increasing understanding between our people is far more beneficial than fostering misunderstanding,” Chiang remarked.
The forum featured three sub-forums where representatives from Shanghai and Taipei exchanged experiences and engaged in discussions on friendly transportation cooperation, river management, and the creation of culturally vibrant cities. These collaborative efforts aim to drive innovation and sustainable practices in both metropolitan areas.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
