Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen announced today (5th) prior to the municipal administration meeting that she will lead a delegation from the city government to Australia from this evening through August 11. The visit will include a series of city diplomacy and cultural exchange activities, with scheduled stops in Brisbane and Sydney. The delegation is entrusted with five key objectives: expanding diplomatic ties to diversify economic and trade risks, promoting cultural performances, exchanging infrastructure development experiences, learning energy transition strategies, and extending care to overseas compatriots. This visit underscores Taichung City’s strong commitment to international engagement and global integration.
Mayor Lu noted that the most important objective of this visit is to strengthen city diplomacy and diversify economic and trade risks. In light of the recent announcement by the United States to impose a 20% tariff on Taiwanese goods, the global industrial landscape is facing significant challenges. As a key manufacturing hub, Taichung must accelerate its efforts to foster exchanges and cooperation with cities around the world, so as to secure more favorable trade and economic opportunities for the city.
The second key objective centers on the exchange of international experience in urban aesthetics and public infrastructure. Mayor Lu noted that Taichung and Australia share many similarities in their paths of urban development, particularly in the construction of public facilities such as convention centers, art museums, and libraries—many of which were designed by world-renowned architects, including Kazuyo Sejima. The two cities share common ideals in architectural aesthetics. With the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center and the Taichung Green Museumbrary set to open by the end of the year, this visit will include site visits to Australian venues to observe their operations and management practices, serving as valuable references for Taichung’s future operations.
Cultural exchange is the third major focus of this visit. Mayor Lu highlighted that Taichung’s renowned Dadun Fine Arts Exhibition, with over 30 years of history, has evolved from a local event into a competition of international caliber. This year, for the first time, the exhibition will be held in Australia, marking a significant milestone. The delegation will also promote Taichung’s cultural soft power abroad, showcasing the beauty of Taiwan to the world.
The fourth objective is to learn from Australia’s experience in transitioning from coal-fired power generation. Mayor Lu explained that while Australia previously relied heavily on coal-fired power plants, most of these facilities have now been successfully decommissioned and repurposed into cultural venues or innovation hubs. As the Taichung Power Plant is Taiwan’s largest coal-fired power plant, Australia's successful model offers valuable insight for Taichung as it seeks to reform its energy structure and advance sustainable development.
The fifth objective is to care and support for overseas compatriots and local youth in Australia. Mayor Lu emphasized that many Taichung residents have family members who have lived in Australia for years, and a significant number of young people are studying or working there. The delegation will arrange meetings with overseas compatriots to convey the city government’s greetings and care, aiming to strengthen the sense of unity among Taiwanese abroad.
In response to questions about the timing of the visit, Mayor Lu said that the Central Weather Administration has clearly indicated a decrease in rainfall across Taiwan this week, with weather conditions gradually stabilizing. The Taichung City Government officially deactivated the Level 3 Emergency Operations Center yesterday. Therefore, the visit will proceed as scheduled. During Mayor Lu’s absence, Deputy Mayor will oversee city affairs, ensuring ongoing disaster recovery efforts and the smooth operation of municipal services.
According to the city government, the delegation will visit Australia from August 5 to 11, for a total of seven days. The delegation will be led by Mayor Lu, and include Deputy Mayor Huang Guo-Rong, Deputy Secretary-General Chang Da-Chun, Director Chen Da-Tian of the Construction Bureau, Director Yeh Chao-Fu of the Transportation Bureau, Director Lee Shan-Chih of the Legal Affairs Bureau, Director Shen Cheng-An of the Local Tax Bureau, and Deputy Director Lee Cheng-Feng of the Secretariat.