On the 10th, Lin Ling-san, Deputy Mayor of Taiwan, led the Taichung Government team and the Flora Expo parade formed by the bicycle fans group to promote the Taichung World Flora Exposition in Ōita, Ehime, and Hiroshima in Japan. On the 11th, they rode on their bikes along the “Maple Leaves Bikeway by Yabakai River Valley” Oita. NHK, a Japanese media reported on their activities. In the program, NHK pointed out that the visiting group from Taichung rode their bikes from 山山町 to 本山町. Along this 13km bikeway, they were received warmly by local inhabitants and students. Masanori Okuzuka, the Mayor of Nakatsu said when he visits Taichung next time, he will promote friendship between the two cities.

NHK reported that the visiting group from Taichung visited Nakatus, with which it has signed the MOU to promote tourism and exchange between both cities. It major purpose is to promote the World Flora Exposition held in Taichung next year. As they rode along the paths, they conducted exchanges with local people.

The report expressed that both bike tourism is the highlight for both Nakatus City and Taichung City. They signed the MOU for bike and tourism on February. To promote the World Flora Exposition, the visiting group, with about 50 people, visited Nakatus City, and they cycled from 山山町 to 本山町 along the bikeway of about 13km long. It took them about an hour to arrive at the destination Aonodōmon. Local folks welcome them with Taiko performance.

NHK interviewed Mayor Masanori Okuzuka of Nakatus City. Masanori Okuzuka said, “in this occasion, the Taichung visiting group came to promote the Flora Expo. Next time, I will visit Taichung to deepen our mutual friendship.”

Deputy Mayor Lin Ling-san led the Taichung City Government team and the bike fans group to form a bike team to promote the Flora Expo. On the 10th, they took the direct flight to Oita, Ehime, and Hiroshima in Japan. In each of these locations, they sponsored a promotional conference. Deputy Mayor Lin also presented the invitation letters written by Mayor Lin Chia-lung in person to invite three county magistrates, and Japanese folks to visit the Taichung World Flora Exposition next year.

The Flora Expo promotional bike team rode along the Yabakai River Valley and Nishiseto Expressway. Riding on their bikes, they promoted the Flora Expo. Along the way, they conducted cycling exchange and promoted the Flora Expo. They also invited different sectors in Japan to plan to visit the Taichung World Flora Exposition in advance.

The Tourism Bureau expressed that Taichung City and Nakatus City became sister cities last year. They will collaborate in the issues of regular charter flight and declared sister bikeways between “Houli Bikeway/Dongfeng Bikeway, the Green Corridor” and “Maple Leaves Bikeway by Yabakai River Valley.”