TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) traveled to Shanghai on Sunday to attend the Taipei–Shanghai City Forum and meet with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng, as the two-day forum ended with pledges to promote closer ties between the cities, per CNA.
Originally scheduled for September, this year’s forum was postponed to late December due to scheduling issues. Despite tense cross-strait relations, Chiang said the gathering offered a chance for face-to-face dialogue with his counterpart.
Chiang had planned to attend both days but chose to participate only in Sunday’s main session. He said his schedule was constrained by public safety concerns in Taipei following a Dec. 19 stabbing.
Gong said the forum underscores the importance of peace, cooperation, and exchanges, describing them as shared aspirations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He added the event helps promote further cooperation between Taipei and Shanghai.
Attending for a second time, Chiang said the meeting felt like a reunion of old friends. “As long as the intention is there, even if it’s late, things will fall into place naturally,” he said.
Chiang thanked both sides for overcoming scheduling challenges through continued communication and coordination. He said the cities will sign a new memorandum of understanding this year covering cooperation on water management and vocational training.
He also relayed Taipei children’s hope to receive red pandas and thanked the Shanghai side for supporting efforts to renew the red panda bloodline at the Taipei Zoo, saying animal exchanges represent a warm and meaningful link between the cities.
Given current cross-strait tensions, Chiang said the ability to continue talks and engage in direct dialogue offers reassurance to people on both sides. “Nothing can replace face-to-face communication,” he said, adding that the more difficult the situation, the more necessary such exchanges become.
Following Chiang’s remarks, the two mayors exchanged gifts to symbolize the bond between Taipei and Shanghai.
