The city diplomacy efforts of Taichung City is continuing to bear fruit. On November 14, a delegation led by Deputy Mayor Shin Hyun Suk from Gwangyang City in South Korea made a visit to Mayor Lin Chia-lung and signed a “Friendship City Agreement” to open a new page in inter-city relations. Taichung and Gwangyang are both young cities. Inter-city exchange therefore emphasizes collaboration on youth education including online video-conferencing, student exchanges, overseas visits, host families and themed teaching programs. Mayor Lin said that education is the best form of inter-city exchange. The promotion of international education at the grassroots level will help to strengthen Taiwan-Korea relations.

Accompanied by Taichung City officials including Li Ru-fang (Director, Secretariat of Taichung City), Wang Chun-hsiung (Director-General, Agricultural Bureau), Wang Yi-cheng (Director-General, Cultural-Affairs Bureau), Wang Ching-tang (Director-General, Sports Bureau), Liu Huo-chin (Deputy Director-General, Education Bureau), Chen Yu-cheng (Deputy Director-General, Tourism and Travel Bureau), and Li Li Yi-an (Deputy Director-General, Economic Development Bureau), Mayor Lin signed the agreement with Gwangyang Deputy Mayor Shin Hyun Suk. The ceremony was also attended by Song Zi-zheng (Director, Central Taiwan Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Kim Sung Hee (Deputy Speaker, Gwangyang City Council), Park No Sin (Gwangyang City Councilor and former Council Speaker), Jung Seong Jin (President, Gwangyang Youth Council , and Lin Bo-nian (President, Tung Shih Junior Chamber).

“Taichung City and Gwangyang City are part of the brotherhood!” Mayor Lin indicated that the Friendship City Agreement between the two cities originated from the international sister associations agreement signed between Taichung’s Tung Shih Junior Chamber and the Gwangyang Youth Council 28 years ago. The strong bonds built over the years between the two cities laid down the foundations for the signing of the Friendship City Agreement.

In addition to frequent exchanges between non-government organizations, Mayor Lin noted that schools from both cities are now working on educational exchange programs. Four primary and middle schools in Gwangyang City have now set up educational exchange activities with Taichung City. Education is the best form of inter-city exchange as it cultivates international exchange at the grassroots level. It not only cultivates international talent but also strengthens inter-city ties.

An increasing number of Korean tourists are now visiting Taichung. City Hall also invited Gwangyang City to take part in the indoor display of the Taichung World Flora Exposition to be held next year. The Flora Expo will hopefully attract even more Korean visitors. As both cities are port cities, the Friendship City Agreement is expected to serve as a framework for promoting future cooperation across the board in the industry, sports, agriculture, tourism, cultural and arts sectors.

Gwangyang Deputy Mayor Shin Hun Suk said she was very pleased with the friendship agreement. There is already extensive exchange between the two cities in the private sector, so the latest development represents another new milestone. Taichung and Gwangyang have many similarities in their culture, education, and characteristics as port cities. She hoped that the signing of the agreement will lead to closer collaboration on education and port logistics, and encourage further investment in mutual trade and economic ties.

The Secretariat stated that Gwangyang City is the second largest international port in Korea and the home to POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, the largest steel foundry in the world. Taichung, on the other hand, is home to Taichung International Port and Taichung International Airport. It is also Taiwan's capital for smart machinery. This means the city is well-developed in terms of industry and logistics; Taichung’s integrated childcare policy and the “Light Up” program for youth education as well as Gwangyang’s establishment of the first child protection foundation in Korea show that both cities are committed to the protection of children's rights and the cultivation of talent. As the two cities already have many similarities, the establishment of Friendly City relations between the two should lead to closer bilateral ties between Taiwan and Korea.