Secretariat, Taipei City Government

On September 9th, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and his delegation visited Boston City Hall and the Boston City Council, where they were warmly received by Taiwanese-American Mayor Michelle Wu and Council President Ruthzee Louijeune. The meeting focused on discussions about urban governance, followed by a municipal tour led by Wu. At the Chinatown Gate, in front of the plaque inscribed with “天下為公” (“for the common good”), Chiang expressed that both cities cherish this spirit. He noted that this inscription has been displayed at Taipei City Hall for many years, reflecting the ideals of people-centered governance, justice, and selflessness. Additionally, Chiang emphasized that both cities would continue to create collaboration opportunities based on shared values.

In his speech, Chiang expressed his gratitude toward Boston. He asserted that the two cities, which became sister cities 28 years ago, share the same vision, values, and spirit in building an equitable and inclusive city, despite the geographical distance between them. He also noted that the cities have established a deep friendship through years of cooperation and interaction.

Chiang indicated that Boston was the first city in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage, aligning with Taipei’s commitment to equality and inclusion. He noted that the rainbow tiles in front of Taipei City Hall symbolize the city’s commitment to accepting all individuals regardless of gender or race.

Furthermore, Chiang expressed a sense of personal connection to Wu’s background, noting that both graduated from law schools in the United States and that Wu’s parents hail from Taipei. With Wu expecting her third child soon, Chiang presented her with a VIP commemorative card for Taipei’s Parent-Child Center and invited her to visit Taipei to experience its home-like warmth. When asked by the media if Wu would bring her children to Taipei, she replied that her first two children had not yet been there and that her family would definitely visit in the future.

During her speech, Wu highlighted that the Chinatown Gate is a significant symbol of the city. She expressed her honor in welcoming Chiang and his delegation to Boston in Chinese. Wu also emphasized that since the two cities became sister cities, their close ties in economics, culture, and policy have made them more than just sister cities but akin to twins. She praised Taipei for its excellent schools, hospitals, and biotechnology industry, as well as for its leadership in climate policy, youth development, and cultural arts.

Wu, whose parents were born and raised in Taipei, indicated that she never imagined she would have the opportunity to welcome the Mayor of Taipei to Boston, making this reception particularly meaningful for her. She underscored that collaborations in education, health care, biotechnology, and culture have already fostered a strong connection between the two cities and that she was looking forward to continuing joint efforts to drive innovation and progress.

Finally, Wu noted that trade between Taiwan and Massachusetts has exceeded US$1.5 billion and highlighted their shared vision for development. She expressed her desire to continue collaborating with Taipei, learning from each other, and working toward making both cities, as well as the world, more livable and welcoming places to call home.

During a media Q&A session, Chiang specifically thanked Wu for her thoughtful arrangements. He appreciated the opportunity for the delegation to engage with the City of Boston Government and meet many Boston residents at the Chinatown Gate. Wu expressed her honor in welcoming everyone, emphasizing the close relationship between Boston and Taipei and the desire to continue collaborating for mutual development.

When asked about the topics discussed between the two mayors, Wu expressed her hope to create a family-friendly city as a key economic initiative. She believes that personal experiences provide unique perspectives and highlighted the importance of ensuring that all families have opportunities to thrive. Wu emphasized that the exchange was particularly meaningful for her because she greatly admired Taipei’s efforts to ensure that all families can grow and succeed.

Regarding Boston’s safety, Wu acknowledged the importance of first impressions. She stated that the downtown area and Boston Common are key locations for welcoming visitors from around the world and that the municipal government is working to make Boston one of the safest cities in the United States. The city has hosted various events, such as Shakespeare on the Common, to showcase its vibrancy and instill pride in visitors.

When asked about future collaboration between the two cities, Chiang reiterated that Boston and Taipei have been sister cities for 28 years and expressed eagerness to continue engaging in collaborations and exchanges. He noted that Boston is a global innovation hub, while Taipei has initiated the Global Pass program to facilitate more collaborations with Boston involving innovative initiatives and startups. Chiang also welcomed talented individuals from Boston to Taipei for further exchanges. He emphasized that Wu’s governance has received considerable public recognition and that there will be more collaborations and dialogue between Taipei and Boston on various municipal issues in the future. He is confident that together with Wu, they can foster livable and friendly environments for their citizens.

Regarding his impressions of Boston, Chiang described it as a vibrant, historically rich, resilient, and safe city. He noted that both of his sisters studied there and that he always feels at home when visiting Boston, particularly enjoying going to Chinatown because of its fantastic food. Chiang also emphasized that compared with his first visit, Boston is now cleaner and safer, demonstrating the outstanding leadership of Wu.