Soichiro Miyashita, the governor of Aomori Prefecture, Japan, led a delegation to visit the Taichung City Government on the 23rd. The two cities exchanged views on tourism, economy, trade and urban planning among other topics, and looked forward to deepening bilateral relations in the future. "You must try the authentic bubble milk!" Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen said, Taichung is the second largest city in Taiwan and known for sightseeing and food. Aomori has participated in Taichung Hot Spring Season, Lantern Festival and other activities many times since the two cities became sisters in 2016, and both cities have had frequent and close interactions.

Mayor Lu mentioned that Taichung is the birthplace of the internationally popular beverage "Bubble Tea", and it is required to taste the most authentic bubble tea during the visit to Taichung. Taichung is also a well-known capital of pastries. There are many hundred-year-old shops here in Taichung, offering a variety of delicious pastries, including the sun cakes, pineapple cakes, wife cakes, salty cakes and many more.

Governor Miyashita expressed his appreciated for the warm reception at the city hall and was impressed by the city's new and clean appearance. He also asked Taichung for its approach to urban renewal and urban development, and pointed out particularly that Ms. Lu, the international exchange member of the Japanese delegation, is in fact from Xinshe, Taichung City. Mayor Lu took the opportunity to introduce the "2023 Xinshe Sea of Flowers and Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival" that is scheduled in November. He said that Xinshe is known as Taiwan's Provence to some people, with beautiful scenery and rich flowers, mushrooms, and fruits. She invited the governor to visit again in November and enjoy the beauty of Xinshe in person.

Mayor Lu shared that Taichung is highly developed both industrially and commercially. World-renowned optical and semiconductor chip manufacturers have settled in Taichung. It is also a center for precision machinery as well as a crucial link in the global industrial chain. At the same time, Taichung has a great potential in consumption, as Japan's Mitsui Group and SOGO have invested in department stores and shopping malls in Taichung. Notably, the Taichung Shopping Festival is celebrating its fifth year, effectively attracting tourists and shoppers to Taichung.

In addition to entertaining guests to taste drinks from the founding pearl milk tea shop, Mayor Lu also presented gourd lanterns and Lishan high mountain tea from the 2023 TCOD Taichung Original Brand Project. In return, Governor Miyashita presented gifts of Aomori County handmade glass crafts and scallop gift boxes. The interactions at the event were lively and engaging.

Today’s reception was led by Mayor Lu, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Huang Kuo-Jung, Director General Chen Mei-Hsiu of Tourism and Travel Bureau, Director General Chiang Woei-Min of Education Bureau, Director General of Water Resources Bureau, Fan Shi-yi, Director General Chen Jiajun of Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Deputy Director Ki Cheng-Feng of Secretariat