A delegation led by Chairperson Bob Yang of the Sister City Association of Kansas City - Tainan City (Taiwan) Committee visited Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che on January 15. Legislator Lin Chun-hsien, who studied at University of Missouri-Kansas City and is very familiar with the city, was also invited to the event.
Mayor Huang expressed that Tainan and Kansas has been sister cities for more than forty years. The two cities are like family and continue to enjoy a close relationship through frequent interactions. He thanked the Sister City Association for their long-term dedication and hoped that they will continue to promote additional contact which can further connect the two cities. Huang pointed out that Tainan City has a wide array of different industries, from high-tech businesses in Southern Taiwan Science Park to many significant traditional industries. Tainan is Taiwan's largest automobile component supplying zone, and has a vibrant agriculture industry as well. The Mayor looks forward to more mutually beneficial collaborations in fields such as industries, economy, trade, and culture.
Chairperson Yang explained that the Sister City Association of Kansas City has twelve committees that are responsible for the affairs of Kansas' twelve sister cities respectively. The Tainan City (Taiwan) Committee is dedicated to strengthening the relationship between Tainan and Kansas. Last year on Dec. 17, the Committee visited Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and forwarded Mayor Huang's letter congratulating his election win. Mayor Lucas then asked the Committee to deliver his responding letter. Chairperson Yang also relayed the main conversation points between the Committee and Mayor Lucas: 1) Mayor Lucas thanked Mayor Huang for his congratulations and greetings; 2) he promised to enhance the relationship between the two cities and work with the Committee to keep on promoting interactions between Tainan and Kansas; 3) he hopes to have the opportunity to lead a delegation to Tainan and further develop this sister city relationship.
Kansas City (Missouri, U.S.A) and Tainan City became sister cities in 1978. In recent years, Tainan has welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Kansas City, the Director of International Affairs for KCMO, and a delegation from the College of Management of University of Missouri-Kansas City, thanks to the assistance of the Sister City Association of Kansas City. These visits and professional interactions help both sides to learn more about each other. The January delegation comprises Association Chair Bob Yang, his wife Mrs. Lan Mei-jin, former Chair Yang Guang-ping, former Chair Gao Chuan and his wife Mrs. Wu Su-qin.