Under the invitation to KBO Taiwanese start pitcher Wang Wei-zhong’s game, this evening (11) Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung made the ceremonial first pitch with Changwon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo. As the first Taiwan city mayor to kick off KBO game, Mayor Lin signed an international friendship agreement with Changwon City and promoted the upcoming Flora Expo in Taichung late 2018, encouraging “Taichung Declaration”: Green Production, Ecology and Humanity and Culture Life. Signed to respond the movement and joined the Declaration as the first international city, Changwon was invited to the Flora Expo.

Mayor Lin Chia-lung signed a friendship agreement with Changwon City at Masan Sports Hall later today. Together with Changwon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, Mayor Lin threw out the first pitch in Wang’s No.48 jersey; having Taichung city introduced on the big screen, many international tourists watched the game and cheered for Wang in the sports hall. Taichung Flora Expo mascot Love and Life also joined the event and performed Expo dance with NC Dino’s mascot, inviting the world to enjoy “The Sound of Blooming.” Taichung and Taiwan were in the air throughout the entire game.

“A historic moment!” Mayor Lin tied the friendship knot with Changwon as the first Taiwanese city, while Changwon being the first one to join “Taichung Declaration”. In hoping for Wang’s another victory, Mayor Lin invited Korean citizens to enjoy Taichung Flora Expo and a long live friendship with Changwon City.

Mayor Lin mentioned that in 2010 the old Changwon merged with Jinhae and Masan City to become the current Changwon City, same year Taichung upgraded to municipality, the two entered a brand new phase together. Taichung is now the second largest city, and reviewed by CNN as the most living friendly city in Taiwan, the friendship agreement with Changwon is a bridge advancing the communication between Taiwan and Korea.

Mayor Ahn praised Wang’s performance in KBO, and that the player is fond of by Taiwan as well as Changwon. The friendship agreement and Taichung Declaration signing ceremony in Masan Sports Hall will be witnessed by Changwon people. This is a good opportunity to share Taichung Flora Expo event with Korean people, and that he hopes for active inter-city communication.

As per Mayor Lin, because of the close location of Changwon to Busan, once there is direct flight service between Busan and Taichung, more fans will be able to join the game and cheer for Wang. As a lucky symbol, Mayor Lin gifted to Changwon Mayor the Chinatrust Brothers Jersey for Taichung is the home to the team. Not only wishing for increased communication with NC Dinos, Mayor Lin invited the team to come to Taichung for spring training so that Taichung can have a closer view at Wang’s outstanding performance while facilitating sports activities between two cities.

Tonight the friendship agreement is signed to enhance communication on education, sports, industries, travel, culture, agriculture and other fields between Taichung and Changwon. The long-term collaborative friendship built for city development shall facilitate the development and friendship of the two cities.

Upon signing friendship deal and Taichung Declaration, Mayor Lin was present watching the whole game supporting Wang Wei-zhong. When asked about Wang’s performance, Mayor Lin indicated that Wang played steadily. He made it a double play when there were players on bases; Wang is the first Taiwanese player in Korean Professional Baseball and he was glad to see that he’s welcomed in Korea. Best wishes on taking home the 3rd win.

Early this morning Mayor Lin visited Changwon City Deputy Mayor Zheng Jiu-zhang. The two discussed on the development of tourism, culture, sports, education and economy, etc.

Deputy Mayor Zheng acknowledged Taichung as one of the intelligent cities chosen by IBM, the project shall enhance environment protection and city development; in the process of advancement, Changwon values environment protection as well. By tying the friendship knot, Deputy Mayor Zheng expects better mutual exchange in the future. “To see a thousand mile view, go up another floor.” quoted from the Tang Dynasty poem, Deputy Mayor Zheng hopes for mutual development and advancement.