C17hapter 17 City Exchanges

Cities are places where human civilization achievements are documented and C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s celebrated, where cultures are consolidated. In the face of increasingly intensive global connectivity, the City of Taipei has evolved from competing with other cities: rather, she seeks to strengthen her administrative governance capabilities and share her success stories through intercity partnerships with other international metropolises. The Taipei City Government has picked up much momentum in recent years from her active participation in international activities: this type of international recognition has grown all the more significant in light of ’s pragmatic diplomacy. Through town-twinning, mutual visits among senior officials and representatives, intercity forums, plus exchange activities that promote culture, education and sports, the world is seeing Taipei as a beacon of modernity.

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City Exchanges he Taipei City Government is committed to promoting city marketing initiatives, participating in international affairs, and encouraging a wide varietyT of international accords. During the process, the Taipei City Government also organized outreach activities for new immigrants and foreign laborers living and working in Taipei. Through a diversity of festivities, the Taipei City 17 Government is hoping to enrich the city’s multifaceted cultural outlook.

Part 1 City Diplomacy

1. Town-twinning/Sister Cities Daegu Metropolitan City of South Korea and Taipei are both members of the United Cities and Local Governments-Asia Pacific Region (UCLG- ASPAC). Both cities are active participants in international activities and share a similar philosophy on improving city competitiveness; on November 4, 2010, the two cities signed the “Sister City Agreement: Taipei City and Daegu Metropolitan City” to officially establish a town-twinning bond. Taipei City and Daegu Metropolitan City become sister cities. 2. Exchange Visits Exchange visits between city heads can promote a bonding friendship between cities, where both sides can make use of the golden opportunity to emulate and survey each other’s municipal works, using these observations as a frame of reference to promote municipal cooperation and exchanges. These exchange visits to host press conferences or investment seminars abroad are also conducive to city marketing campaigns. From February 22 to 25, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin led a delegation of representatives to Mayor Hau Lung-bin with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Seoul, South Korea to attend the WDC World Design Cities Summit, and delivered a speech on “Cultural and Creative Industries as the Kinetic Driving Force in Urban Development and Engine for New Economic Advances,” allowing the world to glimpse into the efforts made to render possible the multifarious cultural and creative aspects of Taipei. During the visit, Mayor Hau Lung-bin also made a courtesy call to Mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hoon, and shared and exchanged policymaking experiences. From April 30 to May 2, Mayor Hau led a delegation to , China to preside at the opening ceremony of the Taipei Case Pavilion at the Shanghai. Using this opportunity, a co-operation mode was established for a joint marketing promotion of both the

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Shanghai World Expo and the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, which is held from November 6, 2010 through April 25, 2011. In sync with opening of the Shanghai World Expo, when pavilions from around the world are vying for attention, the Taipei Case Pavilion held a welcoming event to capture media coverage, becoming a highlight at the Expo and attracting heavy crowds. From June 10 to 11 and July 5 to 7, Mayor Hau Lung-bin led a delegation to Hong Kong and Tokyo, respectively, to promote the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo. From June 14 to 17, Mayor Hau led a delegation to Shanghai to attend the Cross Strait City Arts Festival-Taipei Culture Celebration, and preside over the inaugural ceremony of direct flights between Taipei Songshan Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport; at the Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Hon Hai Chairman Terry same time, Mayor Hau also introduced the investment Goup receive visitors. C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s environment in Taipei City and related information on the Flora Expo. On October 31, Mayor Hau Lung-bin led a delegation to Tokyo to attend the inaugural ceremony of direct flights between Taipei Songshan Airport and Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Several mayors of Taipei’s sister cities also visited Taipei. From May 18 to 24, 2010, Gennady A. Aydaev, Mayor of Ulan Ude of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation, led a delegation to call on Mayor Hau Lung- bin, and also visited numerous municipal buildings in Taipei. Zephaniah M. Nkambule, Mayor of Mbabane in the Kingdom of Swaziland; Norman Noel Quijano González, Mayor of San Salvador, the Republic of El Salvador; Daysi Mayor Hau Lung-bin presiding over the 2010 Torres Bosques, Mayor of Managua, the Republic of Taipei-Shanghai Cultural & Creative Industry Expo Nicaragua; and Kim Bum-il, Mayor of Daegu, South Korea were cordially invited to Taiwan from November 3 to 7 to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo; they also visited municipal constructions in Taipei. 3. Improving Relationships with Sister Cities Taipei currently has 47 sister cities, 2 partner cities and 2 friendship cities. Attributed to the current circumstances and the international political climate changes, little contact with several sister cities have been observed, but close and friendly relations are being maintained with the majority of our sister cities. Nearly half of Taipei’s sister cities are in developing countries; thus exchanges are, more often than not, focused on providing Mayors and representatives from Taipei’s sister cities visit the Taipei International Flora Expo.

265 humanitarian aid. Due to limited budgets and resources, the Taipei City Government mainly provides municipal construction-related technical assistance and donations of used materials in good condition. 4. Active Participation in International Activities Taipei is now an active member in various international city organizations, e.g., the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), United Cities and Local Governments-Asia Pacific Region (UCLG-ASPAC), Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21), Sister Cities International (SCI), Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS), and Regional Network of Local Authorities for Human Settlements (CITYNET). Taipei holds a seat in the Council and Executive Council of UCLG at the management level; and acts as a council director and executive director in the Council and Executive Council of UCLG-ASPAC, and is actively engaged in meetings and activities organized by the various organizations to make her mark in the international arena and promote her image. In 2010, delegations of the Taipei City Government participated in various international meetings and events. From March 2 to 16, Deputy Mayor Lin Chien-yuan accompanied Chen Chin-hsiang, deputy speaker of Taipei City Council, to visit the Netherlands to inspect the world's largest flood control project, "Delta Works," and the urban constructions in other major cities in Central and Western Europe. From March 12 to 14, Deputy Mayor Li Yongping flew to Shanghai to handle related matters on the Cross Strait City Arts Festival-Taipei Culture Celebration. From March 28 to April 2, Deputy Mayor Lin Chien-yuan went to Hawaii to attend the “2nd Asian City Forum.” From April 16 to 18, Deputy Mayor Lee Yong-ping went to Shanghai to supervise the Taipei Case Pavilion at the World Exposition 2010, as well as to oversee the trial runs for the 101 Theaters and Future Theater video tests. From April 24 to 29, Yeh Ching-yuan, executive officer of the International Affairs Committee, paid a visit to Chicago to attend the ad hoc General Assembly of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). From June 22 to 28, Deputy Mayor Lin Chien-yuan visited cityscape planning regions in Tokyo and Tokyo University and Waseda University. From June 27 to 29, executive officer Yeh Ching-yuan left for Singapore to attend the UCLG-ASPAC Executive Board Committee Meeting. From October 20 to 22, Mr. Yeh Ching-yuan went to Hamamatsu City in Japan to attend the UCLG-ASPAC Regional General Assembly. From November 8 to 9, Deputy Mayor Lin Chien-yuan, went to Tokyo to partake in the General Assembly of Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21). 5. Visiting Other Cities Taipei and Shanghai are two metropolises w i t h h i g h p o p u l a t i o n d e n s i t y, e c o n o m i c prosperity, and cultural diversity. Both cities face environmental challenges arising from the high level of urbanization. On April 6, 2010, the Taipei City Government organized the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, where both cities shared concerns on the impact of large-scale exhibitions on urban development. It was agreed that eco-friendly Mayor Hau Lung-bin attending the City Forum with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng.

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elements should be infused to truly realize the concept of environmental protection. The main theme of the forum-Strengthened Cooperation and Mutual Development-is far-reaching, and the two cities signed a memorandum for further exchange and cooperation on culture, environmental protection, tourism and science and technology. Through various promotional activities, the dynamics for urban regeneration and development were revamped for both cities, forecasting urban prosperity and win-win economic outlooks. In face of the new challenges of urban integration brought about by cross-strait exchanges and competitions, delegations in the Urban Redevelopment Office visited Shanghai from August 21 to 24 to observe several urban renewal success stories, and the creative industries and urban regeneration policies in Shanghai, with a particular focus on the restoration of historical monuments, the preservation and revitalization of old buildings, and the linkage of creative industries. It is hoped that these site visits and cultural exchange programs can serve as a frame of reference for facilitating strategic updates and in promoting urban renewal in the private sector. As regards the common global concern about greenhouse gas emissions, delegates from Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government visited Incheon, South Korea from October 3 to 7 to participate in the 20th Annual Meeting of the International Committee of the International Council for C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). With the “Future of Cities” as the theme, our delegates met with representatives from other countries for in-depth sharing and exchange so as to grasp the future trends in international environmental protection, drawing on success stories to map out a blueprint for Taipei’s future look that accentuates four key prospects, i.e., urban eco-efficiency, quick-response capability, green economy and social welfare.

Part 2 Cultural Exchanges

1.Cultural Exchanges

(1) Cross Strait City Arts Festival-Taipei Culture Celebration To promote cross-strait exchange visits between Taipei and Shanghai, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Taipei City Cultural Foundation, China Friendship Association of Culture Circles, and Shanghai Friendship Cultural Association co- organized the Cross Strait City Arts Festival. During the 2010 Expo Shanghai, Mayor Hau Lung-bin led The Taipei Fine Arts Museum exhibiting wonderful creative works by 50 artists. a group of one thousand persons in the Taipei arts community to Shanghai to hold the Taipei Culture Festival; it was by far the largest contemporary arts event held by the Taipei City Government in Shanghai. From June 3 to 28, 2010, seven themes were showcased at major exhibition venues and outdoor spaces around Shanghai, including a “Visual Arts Exhibition,” “Flora Expo Outdoor Display,” “Taipei Day in the World Expo,” “Performing Arts,” “Cultural Forum,” “Cultural and Creative Industry Expo” and“Taipei Documentary Showings,”relaying the creative innovations of Taiwan. From June 3 to 28, “Touring Taiwan: Highlights from the Taipei Fine Arts Museum Collection” was exhibited at the Shanghai Art Museum, featuring 50 local artworks specially chosen to represent Taiwan’s multifaceted faces, where art transcends generations to bring together artists of all ages, including renowned artists Kuo Po-chuan, Liao Chi-chun, Ma Pai-sui, and Hsi De-chin. Some of the motifs are not

267 U-THEATER’s drum beats fill the air with blessings way up to the skies.

unfamiliar, such as Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Oluanpi and other attractions, giving visitors who have yet to visit Taiwan an opportunity to appreciate its beauty. From June 12 to 18, the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition Outdoor Exhibition was held in the Century Plaza on Nanjing Road in Shanghai. Stationary displays and multimedia materials were exhibited to demonstrate the approaching 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo in November, 2010. Together with shows by performance groups, the event enriched visitors’ artistic impressions of Taiwan. The highlight of the Taipei Cultural Festival was the “Taipei Impressions” arts exhibitions and activities on June 16, Taipei Day at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. During the day, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Taipei Chinese Orchestra, U-THEATER, aboriginal singer Hu De-fu and pop singer Wang Lee-hom, Goodwill Ambassador of the Taipei Hall, took turns putting on exciting performances; after nightfall, Ming Hwa Yuan Arts & Cultural Group debuted the classic Legend of the White Snake on their world tour in the Hongkou Soccer Stadium. The play breaks through traditional theatrical stage confinements, where performers at times dangle 100 feet high in the air, combining the unique elements of stage technology, music, dance, and drama. Following the precedent first used in Taiwan, fire trucks were brought in to shower the stage in the “Water Over Jinshan Temple” scene. The awe-inspiring and eye- popping visual and sound effects left the Shanghai audiences spellbound. The Taipei Chinese Orchestra invited the internationally-renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie to perform during the Taipei Cultural Festival. On June 17, 2010, the “Hearing Taipei Aboriginal singer Hu De-fu performing at the opening reception.

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with Love at the World Expo” event included a repertoire as variegated as aboriginal folk songs and pieces by Shanghai composers, songs fresh yet familiar at the same time. As the group invited to perform the largest repertoire and the most showings, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra performed on June 18 various well-known classical pieces and won the audience over. Another performance that knocked the audience’s socks off was the pulsating yet philosophically zen show by the U-THEATER on June 18 and 19, where their Sound of Ocean struck a chord with the audience. Adapted from the Eileen Chang novel “The Golden Cangue” of the same name, the Guoguang Opera Company’s artistic director Wang An-chi C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s and the talented young screenwriter Zhao Xue-jun co-wrote the play. Directed by Li Xiao ping, with the interpretation by Taiwan's foremost Chinese opera performer Wei Hai-min to play the female lead Cao Qiqiao, the play was staged on June Mayor Hau Lung-bin running into people doing live action role playing at the 2010 Taipei-Shanghai Cultural & 19 and 20; the refined acting and captivating plot Creative Industry Expo. wowed even the younger audience. On June 25 and 26, the Contemporary Legend Theatre staged its classic drama “Kingdom of Desire” adapted from one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, “Macbeth”, but in the form of Peking Opera. Wu Hsing- kuo and Wei Hai-min portrayed the Chinese counterparts of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and received a standing ovation! No wonder the French newspaper Le Figaro gave it rave reviews, deeming it an epoch- making masterpiece of Taiwan. “Can Three Make It, Part Ι” by the Ping Fong Acting Troupe was eagerly anticipated by the Shanghai audience; three actors, Zhu De-gang, Du Shi-mei, and Di Zhi-jie, play 30 characters, using heaps of comedic elements to challenge the laughter potential of the audience. The show was staged from June 25 to 27, and the Shanghai audience was guaranteed to laugh from start to finish, with no regrets about seeing it. In addition, the “2010 Shanghai Taipei Cultural and Creative Industry Expo” was held from June 16 to 20 at the Shanghai Mart, inviting over one hundred outstanding companies in the cultural and creative industry in Shanghai and Taipei. Companies from Taiwan set up 300 booths divided into 12 areas based on their features. The 4-day expo drew more than 45,000 visitors, creating an economic output worth NT$ 272,000,000. The Cultural Forum on June 18 invited representatives from performing groups during the Festival to exchange and share experiences on performing arts promotion with iconic figures in the arts and cultural circles in Shanghai. The Shanghai Documentary Channel broadcasted on June 28 at 20:00 a 26-minute program called Flourishing Taipei, a documentary on Taipei’s culture, narrating the diverse aspects of Taipei through food and tea, as well as the flourishing stories that represent the epitome of Taipei’s dynamic cultures. Shanghai people do need to leave their houses to experience the evolution of the city of Taipei. The Taipei Cultural Festival attracted more than 200,000 people.

(2) 2010 Hi Seoul Festival The 2010 Hi Seoul Festival was held from May 7 to 9 in our sister city Seoul. Taipei City was invited to send outstanding arts groups; the Taipei Grass Mountain Traditional Orchestra was selected to carry

269 forward Taipei’s traditional culture and promote cultural exchanges between Taipei and Seoul. Flogging and Busy Transporting Provisions, Little Cowherd, Yang Ming Chun Xiao, Seoul Story, Beautiful Wind Impression, Winter Hunting, Galloping Battle Steed and the adapted Korean folk song Arirang, were among the repertoire performed that garnered positive feedback.

(3) 2010 Colorful Daegu Festival Daegu City held the 2010 Colorful Daegu Festival from August 27 to 30. The Department of Cultural Affairs recommended the 2010 Outstanding Performance Group-the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra-to attend the event; the group consisted of 15 representative performers. Aside from taking part in the Daegu Friendly City Memorial Day Ceremony, the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra performed the Taiwan folk songs Spring Breeze, Four Seasons Red, Dusk in Danshui, Northwest Rain and the South Korean folk song, Arirang, and other songer familiar to the ears. Daegu Mayor Kim Bum- il even got on stage and had a sing-along with the audience during the chorus of Arirang, and received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

(4) Asian Performing Arts Festival 2010 The Asian Performing Arts Festival entered its 8th year in 2010, and was held from October 31 to November 9 at the Tianshui Palace in Tokyo and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space under the theme of “International Co-production.” Artists are selected by member cities to hold week-long workshops in Tokyo, and showcase their works during the Arts Festival. The Department of Cultural Affairs selected the “Physics Sentiments Theatre Company of Lee Qing-zhao the Private” as the representative performing group. Their Chinese traditional Peking Opera performances touched a chord with the local audience; the city exchange was a smashing success.

(5) Prague Spring Jazz Concert Prague Deputy Mayor Marie Kousalikova led a delegation consisting of students and teachers in the Jaroslav Jezek Music Institute from September 26 to October 2 to Taiwan for cultural exchanges. In addition to the visits on the itinerary, they were scheduled to stage the Prague Spring Jazz Concert on September 30 at the Taipei City Government Family Theater. Though young of age, the Jaroslav Jezek Orchestra has immense potential, having already been given the award as the 6th Best Orchestra in the Next Generation Festival in 2007 and was the 1st among European orchestras. The event was open to the public by free ticket entry, Musicians from the Prague Jazz Conservatory performing and was well received, making it a big success. at Taipei City Hall.

(6) AIR (Arts-in-Residence) Taipei Exchange Programs Since the inauguration of the Taipei International Artist Village and Grass Mountain Artist Village, a total of 250 foreign artists have come to Taipei City to carry on their creative works; at the same time, 105 artists from Taiwan have flown to other countries as foreign resident artists. Starting October, 2010, the Taipei City Government added a new place of residency-the Treasure Hill International Art Village-as the first historic establishment to be utilized to create a Symbiotic Arts and Residence environment, where original residents and artists come together. The artistic energy oozing from the three villages is expected

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to attract more artists to come to Taipei for residency, where the 9-year stable operation of resident artists and international exchanges can be integrated synergistically. 2. Migrant Workers’ Cultural Exchange By the end of December, 2010, Taipei City had 38,525 migrant workers, accounting for approximately 10% of the total foreign population. The figures for migrant workers according to nationality are as follows: 25,741 Indonesians (66%), 7,467 Philippines (19%), 4,018 Vietnamese (10%), and 1,299 Thais (3%). Taipei City has made tireless efforts to organize a variety of outreach and cultural activities to help migrant workers assimilate into Taiwanese society, and in the process conduct cultural exchanges. Our sincere gratitude is extended to foreign friends for their tremendous endeavors in the fields of construction work and services.

(1) Thai Culture Festival

The Thais believe water is the symbol of purity, C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s the source of life, and the god of all beings. On the morning of the New Year, they bathe to cleanse their bodies and attend the Bathing the Buddha ceremony; on the following days, Thai people often splash water on each other to celebrate the New Year (the Songkran Festival). On April 10, 2010, the Taipei Department of Labor held the Thai Culture Festival, inviting internationally-renowned dance groups from Thailand to give performances and promote cultural exchanges. There were also performances by aboriginal Taiwanese, including the exciting aboriginal dance numbers and songs Thailand Cultural Festival Activities. by the 2009 Golden Melody Award winner for Best Aboriginal Singer—Inka Mbing & Ensemble.

(2) Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival in Style Each year, the HELLO TAIPEI Migrant Workers Team and the Handi-Capable Team sign up for the dragon boat race. This year’s race was held by the Department of Labor on June 6, 2010 under the Dazhi Bridge in the Dajia Riverside Park. By taking part in this joyous event, migrant workers and foreign spouses can share in the festive spirit of the Dragon Boat Festival, giving them a rich traditional Processions in the Philippine Santacruzan (Sacred Cross) Taiwanese cultural experience. Festival. (3) The Philippine Santacruzan (Sacred Cross) Festival Sacred Cross Day originated from the story of Queen Helena of the Roman Empire who undertook a search for the sacred cross of Jesus Christ; ultimately Queen Helena found the cross, and her son Constantine the Great went on to reign and never lost a battle. Since then, the sacred cross became an

271 important symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and Christianity. On May 30, 2010, the Department of Labor and St. Christopher’s Church jointly held the Santacruzan Festival in Taipei. In a procession through the streets, 13 female migrant workers were dressed as Santa Maria, the Holy Mother of Jesus; their splendid attire was accompanied by specially-designed arches that symbolize the Gates of Heaven. The colorways were also carefully chosen to carry special meanings, displaying the wonderful characters of confidence, hope, benevolence, and integrity.

(4) Philippine Cultural Festival To show Taipei's warm hospitality and passion for our dear foreign workers all the way from the Philippines, we invited them to share the excitement of celebrating the long-awaited cross-strait direct flights from Taipei Songshan Airport and the Taipei International Flora Expo. On July 11, 2010, the Department of Labor held the Taipei- Friendship Day, designating the jasmine—the national flower of the Philippines—as the central theme of this event, symbolizing the staunch friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines to work together hand-in-hand for a prosperous future.

(5) Vietnam Cultural Festival In appreciation of the devotion and dedication of Vietnamese migrant workers and foreign spouses, the Taipei Department of Labor held the Vietnam Cultural Festival on September 26, 2010. The event featured parent-child fashion shows of traditional Vietnamese clothing, Vietnamese dance performances, and the Techno San Tai Zi dance numbers that took Taiwan by storm. The Lion Dance, a common traditional folk art in Taiwan and Vietnam, bonded the two countries even closer amidst the lively sounds of gongs and drums, as if chiming celebratory blessings for the long-term friendship and prosperity of the two countries. Vietnamese Cultural Festival Activities. (6) Migrant Workers Poetry Competition and Awards Ceremony The Migrant Workers Poetry Competition has become a mainstay in Taipei City since its inception in 2001, and has grown increasingly popular. There were many entrants in this year’s competition, with 2,502 poems submitted for primary selection; 18 poets passed the three rounds of selection, and were invited to the awards ceremony and public citation ceremony on August 29, 2010, organized by the Department of Labor.

(7) Moslem Fast-breaking Festival Muslims observe Ramadan, a month of fasting; they celebrate the success of their fasting in a fast- breaking festival known as Eid al-Fitr. For the Muslims, fasting is one of Allah’s important life lessons to believers to experience for themselves the hunger of the poor, but also to reflect on the past, appreciate and cherish what we have, and aid the poor and share our possessions. In Indonesia, Eid al-Fitr is tantamount to the Indonesian New Year. This year, the Taipei Department of Labor and the Taipei Mosque co-organized the Fast-breaking Festival on September 12, 2010.

(8) Indonesian Cultural Festival On October 17, 2010, the Indonesian Cultural Festival was held by the Department of Labor, treating

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Indonesian and Taiwanese alike to aromatic tea to express Taiwan’s friendly hospitality and passion to our beloved Indonesian friends. Indonesian pop stars were invited to fly across the ocean to give memorable performances; there were also traditional Indonesian dances and live band performances by groups of Indonesian friends, as well as traditional Hakka dances, gathering nearly 10,000 persons for this entertaining bash.

(9) Star of Singing Contest Southeast Asian people’s innate passion and Indonesian Cultural Festival Activities. their singing and dancing prowess are no secret to the world. With a view to promoting cultural exchanges, the Taipei Department of Labor held “It’s Show Time—The 2010 Star of Southeast Asia Singing Contest” C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s on November 21, 2010, providing a casual and relaxing venue for foreign workers to perform on stage and showcase their singing talent. Through music, a common cultural element in all countries, people in Taiwan can be more aware of and learn to appreciate the dimensions of foreign cultures.

(10) Health & Care-Love for All: Health Checkups for Migrant Workers Migrant workers often receive delayed medical attention caused by language barriers and the lack of medical-related information offered to them. In order to address these issues, the Tzu Chi International Medical Association and the Department of Labor Affairs co-organized “Health & Care-Love for All” to reach out to migrant workers, providing them with free medical services and health checks, health counseling, follow-up outpatient services as well as medical treatment care. In 2010, this service was offered on April 11, June 13, August 8, October 31, and December 5, in hopes of helping these migrant workers feel like they are being taken care of.

Part 3 Educational Exchanges

Taipei actively promotes various international educational exchanges. Activities and educational exchanges take many forms, including academic exchanges, student activity exchanges, educational visits, and receiving foreign schools. In 2010, 99 schools held 345 exchanges in Taipei City. 1. Academic Exchanges

(1) Schools A delegation led by Zeng Tsan-jin, Deputy Chief of the Department of Education, Taipei City Government visited Harbin City, Province in China from May 24 to 28 to participate in the “2010 China Education Information Leadership Summit.” From July 15 to 20, Han Exchange between Taipei Municipal Daan Vocational Industrial High School and Matsumoto Technical High School in Japan .

273 Chang-tzer, Chief of the Information Technology Office in the Department of Education, led a delegation to City, Jiangsu Province to participate in the finals of the “8th Network Originality Competition (NOC).” A total of 48 students and teachers from the Taipei Municipal Daan Vocational Industrial High School went on the International Education Tours from April 19 to 24 and conducted exchanges with students and teachers in Matsumoto Technical High School in Nagano, Japan. Representatives from the Taipei Nangang Vocational Industrial High School visited the Kansai region in Japan from May 23 to 28 for exchanges to learn more about the Japanese approach to vocational high school education.

(2) Social Education Institutions On April 11, 2010, the Taipei Astronomical Museum and the National Central University invited Professor Syun-Ichi Akasofu to give a presentation on the Mysterious Aurora, attracting 192 participants. On May 14 and 15, the Taipei Family Education Center and National Taiwan Normal University co-organized the International Conference on Family Values, inviting a number of guest speakers from around the world, including Dr. Richard B. Miller from Brigham Young University, Dr. Shann Hwa (Abraham) Hwang from Texas Dr. Richard B. Miller participating in the International Women's University, and Dr. Leng Leng Thang Conference on Family Values from the National University of Singapore. On May 28, the Taipei Zoo and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda signed the “Giant Panda Tuan Tuan & Yuan Yuan Conservation Breeding Memorandum”; the ceremony was witnessed by Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Sichuan CPC Party Chief Liu Qibao. On August 13, the Taipei Teachers In-Service Education Center held the “Symposium on Quality Education for Taiwan-Hupei Elementary Schools,” inviting 74 delegates from Hubei Province for Symposium on Professional Development for Taiwan - discussions and exchanges on primary education. Shanghai Teachers On October 22, in conjunction with Shanghai Pudong New Area Education Development Institute, the Taipei Teachers In-Service Education Center co-organized the “Symposium on Profession Development for Taiwan - Shanghai Teachers.” 2. Educational Visits Through visiting different schools and educational bodies in different countries, the Taipei City Government aspires to learn from each other’s success stories, thereby promoting its knowledge of other cultures, diverse education systems and 98 Teachers awarded the 2009 Excellence in Teaching on social environments. overseas visits

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(1) Overseas Visits Lin Teng-chiao, deputy director of the Department of Education, Taipei City Government led a group of teachers awarded the 2009 Excellence in Teaching to Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary from January 14 to 25, where they visited the University of Vienna, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Slovakia, and the Prague Department of Education. Deputy director Lin Hsin-yao led the Elementary School Principal Training Class to visit Shanghai, and held the “Symposium on New Quality Education,” as the first exchange learning for the Principal Training Class in a foreign country. From April 8 to 13, the Department of Education conducted the Education Visit to Zhejiang, China, consisting of 32 participants. A total of 89 students and teachers from thel Cheng Yuan High School, Datong High School, Bailing High School, Lishan High School and Cheng Yuan High School formed the visiting group for the 2010 Student Delegation Ambassadors of the Taiwan ROC-Singapore Cultural Exchange Program, and visited Singapore for an educational and cultural exchange from July 20 to August 6. From October 21 to 29, delegates from the Department of Education, Taipei City Government visited Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Helsinki in Finland as the Taipei Children Reading Group 2010, and visited libraries and other cultural and educational

organizations for Taipei City to use as valuable references in the promotion of reading. C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s

(2) Visiting Groups from Overseas A. Visits from Foreign Social Educational Organizations Somchai Angsuwan, Director of the Department of Education in Samutprakarn Thailand, led a group of 45 delegates on April 8, 2010 to visit the Department of Education, Taipei City Government to better understand the educational system and the vocational schools in Taipei. Mr. Nico van der Spek, former deputy mayor of Eindhoven, Holland visited the Department of Education on October 7 and was warmly received by Deputy Director Lin Hsin-yao, where they exchanged and shared their views on education and counseling policies for new immigrants. A delegation from the Xiamen Department of Education consisting Mr. Nico van der Spek, former deputy mayor of Eindhoven, 53 persons visited the Department of Education, Holland, visiting Taipei Taipei City Government on November 2, and was warmly received by Director Kang Tsung-hu for an extensive and professional cross-strait experience sharing on education. The Hangzhou Education Society was joined by seven representatives from the Department of Education, including the director, to visit Nanhu Elementary School in Neihu where they caught a glimpse into the future of school classrooms. B. Visits from Foreign Schools A total of 12 students and teachers from Meinan Technical High School in Aichi, Japan came to Taipei on January 21, 2010 and visited the Welcoming the Meinan Technical High School to Taipei Taipei Municipal Da-An Vocational High School to Municipal Daan Vocational Industrial High School

275 learn about the current status of Taipei’s vocational education. The Elementary and Junior High School Principal Reserves from South Korea formed a delegation of six groups to visit a total of 20 schools of various levels in Taipei from May 18 to August 24. A delegation from Singapore comprised of 84 students and teachers from the Raffles Institution, National Junior College, Temasek Junior College, Victoria Junior College and the Chinese High School conducted an 18-day cultural exchange visit to Taipei from November 29 to December 16. C. Visits from Foreign Educational Institutes Delegates from China visiting the Research and On March 16, 2010, 19 delegates from the Conservation Center at the Taipei Zoo China Women's Federation visited the Taipei Family Education Center for exchanges on family education. A delegation from China participated in the “2010 Cross-Strait Wildlife Trade and Management Conference” and visited the Taipei Zoo on September 16. A visiting group consisting of four delegates from the “Children and School Libraries in China” visited Taipei on May 4. H. E. Anote Tong, President of the Republic of , accompanied by his wife and four other diplomats, visited Taipei on June 8. 3. Academic and Art Activities and Competitions

(1) Schools From September 21 to 26, students Huang Yu-lan and Lin Yuan-lin represented the Taipei Kaiping Culinary School to participate in the 2010 International Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge in Gold Coast, Australia; their salmon- themed cuisine won them the gold for both individual and group champion. Taipei and Hong Kong jointly organized the Learning Villages (LV), undertaken by the Minquan Elementary School in Songshan District, Taipei from May 26 to 29, where Students from Taipei City and Hong Kong working together on a project students were given the opportunity to exchange with their counterparts in Hong Kong through online educational games.

(2) Social Educational Organizations From July 6 to 15, the Taipei Zoo and the Chinese Agriculture Corporation Group co- organized the “2010 Cross-Strait Harmonious Eco-development Exhibition.” On March 24, the Taipei Public Library and the Thailand Trade and Economic Office co-held the Thailand Promotion Campaign and Book Donation Ceremony. On September 18, the Library and the Trans-Asia Sisters Association in Taiwan (TASAT) jointed 2010 Cross-Strait Harmonious Eco-development Exhibition

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organized the Vietnam Promotion Campaign, inviting Vietnamese lecturers Hong Jinzhi and Sun Meili to talk about Vietnamese culture. 4. International Sports Activities From June 29 to July 2, the 2010 International Children's Games were hosted by Manama, Bahrain; Taipei City had 20 players participating in the games, and bagged 7 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals, breaking the previous record for medals. From August 23 to August 30, the Asia Junior Sports Exchange Games 2010 was hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, with athletes from 14 Asian cities competing in the games; the Taipei badminton team won the bronze medal, while the judo team brought home 1 silver C h a p t e r 1 7 i y E x c n g s and 3 bronze medals. The Taipei Youth Folk Sports Taipei Youth Folk Sports Group. Group 2010 flew to Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia for a 15-day performing tour beginning on October 25; the students trained rigorously in advance to fully showcase Taipei’s youth folk energy to other parts of the world. 5. Transnational Study and Sister City Exchanges

(1) Schools Exchange students from Germany, Austria, and the U.S. and Taiwanese students from the Rotary Club conducted a Chinese cuisine hands- on exchange at the Taipei Kaiping Culinary School Foreign students learning how to make dumplings at the on August 3, 2010; foreign students had a blast Kaiping Culinary School. wrapping dumplings. A total of 18 teachers and students in the Renai Elementary School in the Daan District were invited by the Chinese American International School in San Francisco for an exchange program from May 1 to 15. Fuan Elementary School received 41 students and teachers from the CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Singapore from March 15 to 17, and arranged cultural activities for students to interact and share their experiences. Shipai Elementary School received students, parents, and teachers from North Point Primary School in Hong Kong on April 2,2010.

(2) Social Education Institutions The 2010 Taipei City's Learning Chinese Grants for Enhancing International Exchange Shipai Elementary School receiving North Point Primary School offered scholarships to 10 candidates from Hong Kong.

277 Panda experts providing guidance at the Taipei Zoo

recommended by the mayors of Taipei’s sister cities, where they each receive NT$25,000 per month; they are Lee, Sena (Seoul, Republic of Korea), Sandoval, Felipe Carlo (Tegucigalpa, Honduras), Hall, Peter Joseph Brendan (Brisbane, Australia), Chow Pineda, Antonio Oscar (Managua, Nicaragua), Ayala Leiva, Diego Estuardo (Guatemala City, Guatemala), Botello Gemio, Eliana Carla (La Paz, Bolivia), Mezore, Danuta (Riga, Latvia), Dakoure, Jeanne Marie (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso), Buyantueva, Baldanovna Darima (Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryat Russian Federation), and Strickland, Beatta Bronwyn (Phoenix, USA). The Taipei Zoo extended invitations to experts from Mainland China to provide guidance on giant panda breeding; they were Deputy Director Li De-Sheng, Assistant Engineer Zhou Qiang and Deputy Chief Zhang Gui-quan from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. As a part of the Overseas Benchmark Learning Program launched by the Taipei Public Library, Chien Chiung-wen, director of the Taipei Public Library Donghu Branch, visited the Shanghai Library from August 20 to September 18 to conduct exchanges on library services and learning, and deliver a keynote speech on the topic “Management of Taipei Public Library Volunteers.” Ms. Wang Yan from the Reader's Service Center of the Shanghai Library came to Taiwan in November to exchange her experiences with the Taipei Public Library, providing a new approach to library information resources query services. Conclusion Taipei City strives to become an internationalized, world-class metropolis. To attain this ultimate goal, Taipei has committed itself to tapping into its competitive edge in finance, creative industries, environmental protection, and IT technology to fashion a diverse and internationalized advantage that is conducive for competing and co-operating with other international metropolises. Taipei City is poised to be a place where dreams are conceived and realized, an exemplary model in Asia.

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