Taichung
Taiwan
Sister City Since 2000
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As of 1999, Seattle and Kaohsiung, Taiwan were sister cities, while Port of Seattle had a sister port relationship with Port of Taichung, and Port of Tacoma with Port of Kaohsiung.
Some Taiwanese-Americans and community activists from Tacoma and Seattle areas and Mr. Mike Lawry (Washington Governor 1993-1997) believed that it was opportune time for Tacoma and Taichung to get connected and complete the “missing link” in this unique “crisscross” relationship among the four jurisdictions.
Their suggestion, befittingly realizing a common goal of both cities, i.e., “to be a truly international city”, was well received by Mayor Brian Ebersole (Tacoma), Mayor Wen-Ying Chang (Taichung), and both city councils at the time. Mayor Ebersole visited Taichung in 1999 to initiate the dialogue. A careful evaluation of sister-city potentiality followed. A year later, Mayor Chang and a 70-person delegation visited Tacoma and signed the sister city agreement on July 19, 2000.
The Tacoma-Taichung Sister City Committee’s mission is to promote the mutual understanding and cooperation between Tacoma and Taichung, and facilitate various exchange experiences between citizens of both cities. Over the years, the Committee has facilitated the following events:
• Visitors from Taichung and other places of Taiwan (20 groups over the years)
• Government Structure Forum in Taichung (2002)
• Tacoma Sister Cities International Film Festival – Night of Taichung (annually since 2003, with various cultural performance programs)
• Youth English Study Programs in Tacoma (2005, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018)
• Tacoma Sister Cites Youth Music Festival (2006)
• Reciprocal Book Donation to Libraries (2006)
• Urban Development Conference in Taichung (2009)
• Taichung Jazz Festival (2009)
• Taiwan’s Golden Generation Cycling Tour passing Tacoma (2014)
• In May 2018, Tacoma joined a number of Taichung’s sister cities in endorsing the Taichung Declaration – A New Proposal for GNP (Green Productivity, Nature Sustainability, and People with Greenability), vowing to work together through NGOs and other appropriate means to achieve a harmonious balance among prosperity, nature and quality of life in our cities.
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Our Current Committee Chair:
OPEN
Past chairs and Members:
Hunter White, David Morse, Bill Baarsma, Greg Youtz, and Andreas Udbye, Lihuang Wung, Lotus Perry, and Theresa Pan-Hosley.
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About Taichung
Taiwan’s second largest city; Taichung enjoys a mild year-round climate with an average temperature of 22.4 degrees centigrade. Taichung is endowed with a rich history and beautiful natural scenery. It also offers well-priced culinary delights, assorted shopping areas and arts performances, making it well worth a visit.It also has a highly developed industrial and commercial base, thriving cultural scene, friendly people, and beautiful scenery, all of which contribute to its status as an international-class city. Centrally located in the western half of Taiwan, Taichung welcomes visitors with a pleasant climate throughout the year. The city first rose as a major political, economic, transportation, and cultural hub during the Japanese occupation period, due highway, railway and shipping port development during that time.Through dedicated preservation efforts, Taichung has saved many of the city’s historic sites and retains the original “chessboard” street plan from the Japanese era. Among the many sites of interest in the city are the 200-year-old Lecheng Temple, the ornate and much-visited Chenghuang Temple, and the three-hall style Wanhe Temple. The Chang Liao Family Shrine as well as the 200-plus-year-old Zhenlan Temple in Dajia further add to Taichung’s yesteryear charms.In addition to historic attractions, Taichung also offers plenty to satisfy one’s thirst for the arts, culture and learning, including the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and Taichung City Cultural Affairs Bureau.There are also a number of department stores and distinctive shopping areas and boutiques. The European-style Jingming Shopping District and Fenglin Restaurant at the Art Garden impart Taichung with a fashionable elegance that recalls the Champs Elysees in Paris.Facts
“Taichung” literally means “central Taiwan”, for it is located in the center-western section of Taiwan. (eng.taichung.gov.tw)Taichung’s population is approximately 2.8 million, about 13 times of that of Tacoma (208,100), and the area is approximately 2,215 km2 (855 sq mi), about 14 times of that of Tacoma (62 sq mi).Taichung has established sister city and friendship city relationships with 31 cities in 11 countries since 1965, including 16 U.S. cities, such as Tacoma, San Diego, Tucson, and Baton Rouge.Taichung’s designated city bird is Little Egret, city flower Christmas Kalanchoe, and city tree Palimara Alstonia.Taichung has 29 administrative districts. The city government, led by the Mayor, includes 22 departments, 4 offices and 3 committees. The City Council has 63 members.Taichung has a warm humid subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F), the highest temperature occurring in July-August and the lowest in January-February.Taichung has 17 universities and colleges, 50 high schools, 71 middle schools, 235 elementary schools, 4 special education institutes, 3 international schools, and 9 community colleges.Taichung is known for its precision manufacturing industry. Giant Bicycles, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, is located in Taichung.Taichung is where bubble tea was invented. Other famous local food includes suncakes, pineapple cakes, dear-wife cakes, etc.The Taichung Jazz Festival takes place annually through the month of October, featuring a variety of acts at numerous venues throughout the city. Tacoma was invited to participate in 2009.