Taiwanese Mayors Boost City Cooperation with Tech and Humor

Mayors Chang San-cheng of Taoyuan and Kao Hung-an of Hsinchu led their respective city teams in a municipal exchange meeting, focusing on enhancing collaboration in key sectors. The discussion centered on technological industry development, transportation governance, smart city initiatives, and cross-departmental cooperation.

During the meeting, the mayors exchanged gifts symbolizing their cities' partnership. Chang presented Kao with a championship hat and T-shirt from the Taoyuan Pauian Archgators, winners of the 2025-26 PLG professional basketball league, along with a gift box of Lishan peaches. Kao humorously responded, "Awkward, but we (Hsinchu) didn't win," drawing laughter from attendees. She, in turn, gifted Chang an exquisite glass diffuser and a "Good Wind of Hsinchu" gift box featuring local specialties.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of their cities' roles as tech and industrial hubs within the broader Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli living circle. Chang highlighted the potential for Taoyuan to learn from Hsinchu's extensive experience in developing science parks, especially in expanding the spillover effects of the rapidly advancing AI industry. Kao noted the shared challenges in transportation and urban governance, citing the successful implementation of the TPASS commuter monthly pass as an example of effective cross-city cooperation.

The exchange also included presentations from Taoyuan on its smart city initiatives and child-friendly policies, and from Hsinchu on its elder care discount card and digital experimental middle school. The Hsinchu delegation also visited various Taoyuan facilities, including the library, traffic control center, and animal protection education park, to gain practical insights into smart governance, traffic monitoring, animal welfare, and tech innovation clusters.