Taipei mayor highlights benefits of regional cooperation

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an said on Wednesday (June 12) that Taipei City, New Taipei City, Keelung City, and Taoyuan City have already formed a partnership through a common governance platform to discuss various municipal issues, and will continue to create a unified living circle, enhancing the quality of life for residents across these cities.

Exploring Municipal Mergers

Keelung City has expressed a desire to merge with Taipei and New Taipei City into a new special municipality. Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh believes combining the three cities is the most suitable option. However, a city government research report suggests that a merger between Keelung and New Taipei City is more feasible.

A poll conducted last year in Keelung found that half of the citizens support the city's elevation in status, with the option of merging Keelung, Taipei, and New Taipei into a new special municipality receiving the most backing.

To build consensus on this issue, the Keelung City government has allocated an additional NT$3 million this year for organizing forums and other activities.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

Mayor Chiang emphasized that the collaboration between Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Taoyuan through the common governance platform facilitates horizontal communication and cooperation in transportation, education, and environmental protection. Regular meetings among departments, deputy mayors, and mayors are held to continue developing the shared living circle.

Regarding the merger, Chiang stated that further discussions should be based on the existing cooperation foundation, listening to more opinions from all sectors to provide the best services to citizens.

As these cities progress, the focus remains on enhancing regional cooperation and exploring the potential benefits of municipal mergers for residents. The ongoing dialogue and planned activities aim to gather a broader consensus and ensure that future decisions align with the public's best interests.

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