TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) emphasized on Wednesday (Nov. 5) the significance of the Taipei-Shanghai Forum, a vital communication channel between Taiwan and China, during a special report at the Taipei City Council. The city government is actively working to ensure the forum takes place by the end of the year.
The Taipei City Government announced on Sept. 22 the suspension of the planned visit to Shanghai for the 2025 Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, initially scheduled for Sept. 25. Chiang cited during the special report the importance of quality over timing, stating that the city aims to hold the event later.
Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) Councilor Tseng Hsien-ying (曾獻瑩) inquired about the progress of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two cities. Chiang confirmed receipt of a response from the central government and ongoing communication with the Shanghai government. Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華) noted plans to sign two MOUs with Shanghai this year, with revisions by the central government still in process.
KMT Councilor Chung Pei-chun (鍾沛君) expressed concern over the forum's timely execution, while Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) criticized the city government for shifting responsibility to the central government. Chiang reassured the council that the city government is committed to holding the event because of its importance for city exchanges and cross-strait communication.