Twin-City Forum Between Taipei and Shanghai

REPORTER:  

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an arrived in Shanghai on Sunday for the second day of the Twin-city forum. But the meeting has sparked protests from the Democratic Progressive Party.

REPORTER:  

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an met with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng on Sunday, the second day of this year’s Shanghai–Taipei City Forum, which ran from December 27th to 28th.

Both mayors shared positive thoughts on the exchange.

Chiang Wan-an (TAIPEI MAYOR):  

At a time when cross-strait tensions are so high the fact that the twin-city forum can continue to be held and that we are able to sit down and talk face-to-face is itself a form of strength. We want peace and development. We want cooperation and exchanges. This is the shared aspiration of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. I believe this year’s Twin City Forum will further enhance cooperation between our two cities.

REPORTER:  

The forum, originally set for September but pushed back to the end of this month, was further overshadowed by a knife attack in central Taipei on December 19th, prompting Chiang to cut his trip down to just one day.

On December 27th, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua traveled to Shanghai to attend the forum ahead of Chiang.

This year’s forum was themed on "Technology Changing Lives,” and both cities signed two new MOUs, covering urban water management and vocational training exchanges.

But the meeting has also drawn protests from Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party.

Democratic Progressive Party Representative:  

These MOUs are all superficial exchanges. In every aspect, [Taiwan’s] the stronger side. So for Taipei and Taiwan what benefits are we really receiving? I honestly don’t see any.

REPORTER:  

The forum comes as Taiwan’s Cabinet approved changes to the main law governing cross-strait relations, further tightening oversight on travel to China. The new rules, including stricter reporting and prior approvals, could also impact next year’s twin cities forum.