2019 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum: More economic, cultural and technological collaboration expected

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The 10th annual Shanghai-Taipei city forum is now underway in the East of China. Hundreds of officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from both cities are in Shanghai for the gathering. Wu Lei reports.

Huang Chuanxiong is a dentist from Taipei. He has been living and working in Shanghai for 15 years. He has organized many charity activities and cultural events between the two cities, but he feels more official exchanges are needed to bolster ties.

HUANG CHUANXIONG DENTIST "Personally, I do not want to comment too much on Taiwan's politics when I promote cross-Straits exchanges, but it's very clear that Taiwan's current political ecosystem must be changed so that mutual collaboration can be strengthened."

Huang is very happy to see that Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je led a delegation to attend the forum this year.

WU LEI SHANGHAI "The city forum, which has been held alternately in Shanghai and Taipei since 2010, offers an opportunity for officials, entrepreneurs and scholars of the two cities to exchange views on various subjects."

Over the past decade, more than 30 MOUs have been signed between the two cities. This year is no exception, with 3 new documents being signed.

KO WEN-JE TAIPEI MAYOR "Shanghai occupies approximately less than one-thousandth of the total land area of the Chinese mainland, but it contributes as much as one-tenth of the total tax payments. Undoubtedly, Shanghai is the most advanced place for economic development, an important subject for Taiwan to learn about in terms of economy and trade."

During this year's forum, delegates from the two sides will focus on issues of future development, including bio-technology, youth entrepreneurship and smart cities.

YING YONG SHANGHAI MAYOR "We always uphold the concept of 'people across the Taiwan Straits are all of one family', and gradually provide Taiwan compatriots with the same treatment for studying, entrepreneurship, employment and living as that of Shanghai residents."

Shanghai and Taipei are some of the most dynamic and modern cities in Asia. More exchanges through events like this mean younger generations will find more opportunities in each these cities. WL, CGTN, SH.