Taipei is the capital and a special municipality of Taiwan. Sitting at the northern tip of the island, the city is home to an estimated population of 2.6 million.
Taipei is the political, economic, educational, and cultural centre of Taiwan, and one of the major hubs of East Asia. Considered to be a global city, Taipei is part of a major high-tech industrial area. Rail, high-speed rail, highways, airports, and bus lines connect Taipei with all parts of the island.
Taipei has been at the centre of rapid economic development in the country and has now become one of the leading global cities in technology and electronics.
The city houses over 20 higher education institutions and is leading the world in environment and climate change technology, resilience, and smart city capabilities.
How the relationship began
Wellington’s relationship with Taipei began in 1997, when then Deputy Mayor Kerry Prendergast visited Taipei and met with Taipei Deputy Mayor Bai Hsiu-Hsiung. A partnership agreement was signed to foster closer economic ties between the two cities.
The agreement was renewed the following year when a delegation of 155 Taipei government officials visited Wellington.
In 2015, then Mayor Celia Wade-Brown signed a new partnership agreement during a visit to Taipei. Wellington and Taipei agreed to co-operation in the areas of knowledge sharing in local government best practice, cultural and creative industry exchanges, youth provision and education development, and trade and tourism.
Highlights
The partnership between Taipei and Wellington remains strong and the cities are now focusing on cooperation in trade and tourism, educational and cultural links, and the sharing of knowledge and information regarding local government.
Some highlights include:
- visits by civic and business delegations
- mayoral delegations
- participation in forums on issues or in sectors specific to areas of interest for Wellington.