TAIPEI (TVBS News) — NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, the first Taipei-born astronaut with NASA, visited Taichung on Thursday (April 23) as part of a five-day trip to Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT, 美國在台協會), the private agency handling U.S. interests in Taiwan, arranged the visit, which included a stop at Liu Bakery (劉麵包廠), a business that supplied U.S. military personnel stationed in Taiwan during the 1960s.
Lindgren, 52, said he may have eaten bread from Liu Bakery as a child, crediting the food with helping him become a strong astronaut. The bakery was founded by retired Maj. Liu Zheji (劉哲基), now 101, who presented Lindgren with star-shaped bread during the visit. In return, Lindgren gifted a NASA badge and an autographed photo to Liu.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) welcomed Lindgren, referring to him as "our family member" and expressing joy at his return to the city. Lindgren also visited the Meicun Integrated Service Park (美村綜合服務園區), a former U.S. military club that Lu announced will open on Sept. 4. Lu invited AIT Director Raymond F. Greene (谷立言) and Lindgren to attend the opening celebrations.
Greene, who met Lindgren in Houston in May 2025, praised the astronaut's contributions to space exploration and his ties to Taiwan. Greene and Lu discussed potential collaboration between Taiwan and the United States in space, science and other fields. Greene emphasized the close cooperation between the two countries and the prospects for future partnerships.