Taichung Mayor Lin attends city leaders’ conference in Israel
From
Taiwan Today
2018-02-13
Taichung City Mayor Lin Chia-lung (left) presents a gift to Nachman Shai, deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset and chair of the Israel-Taiwan Friendship Group, Feb. 11 at the latter’s office in Jerusalem. (Courtesy of TCG)
During a Feb. 11 reception in Jerusalem, Lin praised the Middle Eastern country as an inspiring example for Taiwan given its global leadership in high-tech innovations such as advanced earthquake warning systems and drip irrigation technology.
The mayor said he looks forward to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as visiting various cutting-edge companies and innovative startups. He said he will discuss the potential for collaborative agreements in areas such as artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles.
On the first day of the event, Lin met with Nachman Shai, deputy speaker of the Israeli Knesset and chair of the Israel-Taiwan Friendship Group. The two exchanged ideas on city marketing and the tourism economy, and discussed political developments in their respective countries.
Lin took the opportunity to thank the friendship group for promoting bilateral relations and helping conclude many agreements since the two sides set up representative offices in 1993. The mayor also invited Shai to the 2018 Taichung World Flora Expo set to take place between November and April 2019.
In response, Shai praised the friendly relationship between the two sides, and proposed that Taichung conclude sister agreements with Israeli cities and industrial collaborative accords with startups. These partnerships will serve as a solid foundation for cooperation between Taiwan and other countries in the Middle East, Shai said, adding that he plans to visit Taichung during his upcoming tour of the nation later this year.
Staged Feb. 11-16 in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the annual event is jointly organized by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American Council for World Jewry, American Jewish Congress and Federation of Local Authorities in Israel. A total of 35 mayors from 26 countries and territories are attending this year’s conference. (SFC-E)
