TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei City Government Secretary-General announced on Tuesday (Oct. 22) that negotiations continue over the scheduling of the Shanghai-Taipei City Forum (台北上海雙城論壇). Taipei City Council discussed the forum, urging the city government to adhere to equality, dignity, goodwill, and reciprocity principles. The council also requested a review report if the event does not take place.
Taipei City Government Secretary-General Li Tai-hsing (李泰興) noted the necessity of consensus on the level of participation, highlighting that Shanghai has previously sent at least a vice mayor. Moreover, Li emphasized that the delay does not stem from Mayor Chiang Wan-an's (蔣萬安) recent visit to the United States.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Councilor Ho Meng-hua (何孟樺) suggested Taipei should cancel the forum to protest China's political and military pressure on Taiwan. Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨, TPP) Councilor Chen You-cheng (陳宥丞) criticized Mayor Chiang, calling for Taipei to assert its autonomy and demanding an explanation for potentially canceling the forum.
Kuomintang (國民黨, KMT) Councilor Chan Wei-yuan (詹為元) attributed the forum's delay to issues regarding participation levels. Chan warned that failure to hold the event could affect cross-strait relations and pose a significant governance challenge for Mayor Chiang's administration.