Secretariat, Taipei City Government

On March 18, Mayor Wan-An Chiang met with San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who led a visiting delegation to Taipei. This marked the first official meeting between the two parties. Exchanges focused on startup development, biotechnology and medical industries, and cybersecurity, with both parties expressing strong interest in deepening future cooperation.

Mayor Chiang welcomed Mayor Jones on her inaugural visit to Taipei and noted that San Antonio has a solid foundation in industrial development and urban governance, further remarking on the city’s fame as the home of the National Basketball Association’s San Antonio Spurs and numerous internationally renowned players.

Mayor Chiang stated that Taipei City Government is actively promoting smart city development, with the goal of building artificial intelligence (AI)-driven urban governance and becoming one of the world’s top 10 AI cities by 2035. He added that this vision aligns closely with San Antonio’s proactive efforts in technological innovation and digital development in recent years.

Mayor Chiang expressed his wish for both cities to further expand exchanges and collaboration in the future. He also warmly invited the delegation to experience Taipei’s hospitality and cuisine, joking lightheartedly that gaining a few kilograms before leaving Taipei would be a sign of a truly enjoyable visit.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones thanked the Taipei City Government for its warm hospitality and stated that San Antonio has long been committed to advancing technological and economic development and promoting democratic values and international cooperation. She remarked that San Antonio and Taipei share similar development directions in AI and innovation, and expressed hope for more substantive exchanges and cooperation in the future.

During the exchanges and discussions, both parties focused on the development of startups and the biotechnology industry. The Taipei City Government introduced the “Global Pass” program, which aims to connect international innovation hubs and assist startup teams in expanding into overseas markets. Partnerships with nearly 30 cities and close to 100 hubs worldwide have already been established. Taipei is actively developing its biotechnology and medical industries, establishing dedicated startup hubs, and promoting the internationalization of industries. The goal is to support expansion into the U.S. market.

The San Antonio delegation shared its strengths in biotechnology and clinical research, noting that it possesses a comprehensive industrial ecosystem and strong research and development capacity. The delegation expressed support for ongoing cooperation with Taipei regarding biotechnology and medical fields.

Both parties also exchanged opinions on cybersecurity. Mayor Chiang noted that cybersecurity has become increasingly important given the development of digital governance, and he expressed the hope for all international partners to continue sharing experiences and work together to strengthen their urban resilience. The representatives from San Antonio introduced their approaches to enhancing cybersecurity protection through cross-departmental collaboration, information sharing, and talent cultivation.

The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, with both parties demonstrating their willingness to continue exchanging information and engaging in diplomatic missions. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones invited Mayor Chiang to visit San Antonio at an appropriate time in the future, indicating that through deepened cooperation, the two cities could promote mutual development in areas such as technology, industry, and urban governance.