Taipei, Shanghai ink intercity cooperative accords

2015/08/20

Four memorandums of understanding promoting two-way exchanges and collaboration were signed Aug. 18 by Taipei and Shanghai at the 2015 twin city forum in mainland China.

Heading the raft of accords is an enhanced partnership for electronic ticketing services, which is expected to facilitate compatibility between EasyCard in Taipei and Public Transportation Card in Shanghai. Other focuses are civil servant exchanges and district tie-ups between Zhongshan and Zhongzheng in Taipei and Minhang and Jingan in Shanghai.

“Much has changed in this world, but longstanding friendship between the two cities remains a constant over the years,” Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je said at the event. “The forum has made significant contributions to mutual understanding in the past, and I believe it augurs well for further advances in the years ahead.”

Launched in 2010, the annual event is hosted reciprocally by the two cities and has led to the signing of 19 previous memorandums.

According to Ko, other areas of mutual benefit worth exploring going forward include collaboration on medical care and smart city development.

“Cross-strait peace and prosperity are in the people’s best interest, and as the largest cities in Taiwan and mainland China, we can join in making this happen,” Ko said. “I am looking forward to taking bilateral relations to the next level, building on Taipei’s core values of openness, participation and transparency.”

The three-day visit was Ko’s first visit to mainland China in his capacity as head of Taipei City Government. He is scheduled to return Aug. 19 to Taiwan.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233963&ctNode=413)