Taipei and Prague established sister city relations Jan. 13 in a move set to boost culture, education, commerce, technology, health care and tourism ties between the capitals of Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
 
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib signed the agreement to formalize links during a ceremony at Prague City Hall. According to Taipei City Government, Hrib first expressed interest in a sister-city pact while attending Taipei’s Smart City Summit and Expo last year.
 
At the signing, Ko said the accord will help further expand people-to-people exchanges between the two cities.

Taipei boasts a cutting-edge information and communication technology sector and is committed to sharing its industrial development know-how with Prague, Ko said, adding new business tie-ups will help bolster Taipei’s profile overseas and improve living standards for people in both cities.
 
Echoing Ko’s comments, Hrib said both cities share democratic values and respect for basic human rights and cultural freedoms, making them natural partners and mutual inspirations for one another.
 
Taipei has now established sister relations with 50 cities in 36 countries and territories since signing its first such agreement with Houston in 1961, according to TCG. (RAY-E)

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