Shanghai mayor hosts counterpart from Taiwanese capital at annual forum

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng hosted on Sunday his counterpart from Taiwanese capital, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an for an annual forum, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The 2025 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum began in Shanghai, where memorandums of cooperation were signed in water management and vocational skill training.

Gong said this year’s event serves as a platform to “foster win-win collaboration” between the two cities in areas including tech-powered urban governance, public safety, and social well-being.

He added that the forum's aim is to “bring tangible senses of gain, happiness, and security to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.”

Taipei Mayor Chiang expressed hope for “peace and prosperity” across the Taiwan Strait.

"I sincerely hope and earnestly call for a future in which, when people talk about the Taiwan Strait, what comes to mind is no longer crashing waves and howling winds, but peace and prosperity," Chiang said, according to Focus Taiwan.

Founded in 2010 and held alternately in Shanghai and Taipei, the forum has become a key platform for promoting dialogue and strengthening cross-Strait ties.

So far, the two cities have signed 49 memorandums of understanding on exchange and cooperation.