Secretariat, Taipei City Government

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-An led a delegation to Shanghai on December 28 to attend the 2025 Taipei-Shanghai City Forum. During the forum, Mayor Chiang and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng each delivered remarks, underscoring the importance both cities place on urban governance and cultural exchanges. Deputy Secretary-General Xia Kejia of Shanghai and Deputy Secretary-General Chen-hua Yu of Taipei also gave keynote speeches, sharing the two cities’ successful experiences in applying technology-driven governance.

Following the speeches, Mayor Chiang and Mayor Gong jointly witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOU): the MOU on Promoting Exchanges and Cooperation in Water Management and the MOU on Sharing Experience in Vocational Skills Training between Shanghai and Taipei. After the main forum concluded, Mayor Chiang also visited several thematic sub-forums as is customary, including those on healthy and active aging, rail transportation, and medical technology. The full remarks by Mayor Wan-An Chiang at the main forum are as follows:

This is my second time coming to Shanghai to attend the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum as Mayor of Taipei, and I must say—it wasn’t easy getting here this time.

On my way to Shanghai, as I flew across the Taiwan Strait, I couldn’t help but reflect on the following: over the centuries, this strait has witnessed the crossings of early settlers over the treacherous Black Ditch, the brutality of World War II, and the joy and sorrow of the people on both sides following 1949. It has also borne witness to periods of peaceful exchanges across the Strait. What I believe people care most about today is not just the history—but the future of our two cities and of cross-strait relations. How should we move forward?

In Taiwan, some support while others question our dialogues and exchanges. But in these uncertain times, we have persisted with the Shanghai–Taipei City Forum—because I firmly believe that “engagement” is better than “resentment,” “conversation” is better than “confrontation,” “understanding” is better than “misunderstanding,” and “interaction” is better than “tension.” “When our two cities thrive, the two sides of the Strait prosper together!”

And so—I have come to Shanghai once again!

Visiting Shanghai right after Christmas carries a special meaning for me. Shanghai is like a Christmas tree—as novelist Jin Yu-cheng, author of Blossoms Shanghai, once wrote: “Shanghai accommodates all sorts of strange and incredible tales, and a diverse tapestry of stories can be drawn on it.”

Taipei is very much the same—perhaps even more so. It is inclusive, diverse, and open. It is precisely this spirit that has allowed the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum to remain the only ongoing official dialogue platform across the Strait, fostering mutual exchange and shared learning.

This year’s forum is themed “Technology Transforms Life.” Many believe that as we enter the AI era, the role of human beings may gradually diminish. However, I firmly believe that the opposite is true, especially in urban governance; we must hold fast to our core value of people-centeredness. As Mayor of Taipei, my constant priority is how technology can help us get closer to people, to better serve each and every citizen.

Back in 1919, during the May Fourth Movement, the slogans “Mr. Democracy” and “Mr. Science” sparked a pursuit of these two ideals in the Chinese-speaking world. From our present-day perspective, “Mr. Science” is technology and AI; and from our shared cultural heritage, “Mr. Democracy” represents the idea that “The people are the foundation of a country, and only when the foundation is consolidated can the country be peaceful.” Municipal governance, then, must be about serving citizens, being close to citizens, and respecting citizens. 

When it comes to AI and urban governance, I’d like to share two examples:

In Taipei, we have the “1999 Citizen Hotline”; following our twin city exchanges, Shanghai developed the 12345 Hotline. Whenever Taipei citizens have a concern, calling 1999 connects them directly to the relevant departments, which collect information and respond to inquiries. The Research, Development & Evaluation Commission also monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of each department’s responses to relevant municipal issues.

Nowadays, we have begun integrating AI into our services through technology. When citizens call the 1999 Citizen Hotline, the system simultaneously converts voice into text. With the help of AI, our operators can respond immediately and accurately, considerably improving administrative efficiency and enhancing service quality. We will continue to leverage AI to care for a wider range of communities and address more diverse issues.

The second example is our “Milk for Every Student” initiative. Starting this year, every child in Taipei between the ages of 2 and 12 can receive one free bottle of fresh milk per week. This policy integrates private sector logistics from convenience store’s supply chains, universal student ID cards, and a digital registration platform, enabling each child or parent to simply tap their card at a convenience store to collect the milk. Regardless of their family’s economic background, technology is helping us raise healthier children.

I share these two examples to make one point: whether it’s “Mr. Democracy” or “Mr. Science,” both must ultimately be people-centered. And by “people,” I don’t mean the collective noun—I mean every single individual. When we talk about democracy, science, municipal policy, or governance, focusing on the majority reflects the scale of governance, whereas centering on individuals reflects the warmth of governance.

The scale of governance keeps a city grow, but the warmth of governance defines its greatness. My personal aspiration is this: while expanding the scale of infrastructure is the duty of a mayor, ensuring the warmth of governance is the bedrock of every political leader’s conscience.

Prior to my trip to Shanghai, Taipei experienced an unfortunate indiscriminate attack on December 19, which caused significant public anxiety.

This incident served as a sobering reminder that our city is not without risks. Yet, in the face of the crisis, citizens stood up courageously—some even at the cost of their lives. In the days that followed, the people of Taipei came together in compassion, donating and mourning as one. Their actions showed us that the warmth of our city is ever-present and deeply moving.

A people-centered city is not one where crises never occur; it is one that responds to crises with resilience. Therefore, the responsibility of those who govern is to mitigate risks, manage crises, protect the people, and defend the “people-centered values” that we hold dear.

Later today, I will once again fly across the Taiwan Strait back to Taipei. Out in the western Pacific, fishing boats continue to cast their nets, and cargo ships keep moving through sea lanes. On my flight, I’m certain I’ll meet many familiar travelers who frequently cross the Strait—each striving for a better life. And so, I sincerely hope—and earnestly call upon all of us—that one day, when people speak of the Taiwan Strait, they will no longer think of turbulent waters and roaring winds, but of peace and prosperity.

This is my hope, and the goal I have long been working toward. I wish this year’s Shanghai–Taipei City Forum great success. When our two cities thrive, the two sides of the Strait shall prosper together.