Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yan visited the western United States, emphasizing her commitment despite a series of unexpected events during her trip. Due to Typhoon Kemi hitting Taiwan, she had to return to Taiwan after landing at Seattle airport, making a total of three trips between Taiwan and the US within five days.
Mayor Lu stated that the purpose of her delegation’s visit was to attract investment. While visiting sister cities and friendly cities, she expressed gratitude to the overseas Taiwanese community for their support and cheered on Taichung businesses developing in the United States. Taichung has rapidly developed in terms of population and economy in recent years, and she hopes to attract more investments to further advance the city.
She explained that both her visit to the United States and her return to Taiwan for disaster relief were official duties. To avoid controversies, she decided to cover the expenses herself. Humorously, she joked during her speech, “I am like a swallow, flying tirelessly.” Her remark received warm applause.
Over 500 members of the Southern California Taiwanese community gathered for a luncheon with Mayor Lu Hsiu-yan. Chairman of the Indo-Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Young Kim, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and California Assemblyman Mike Fong among other elected officials were present to show their respect.
Taichung has ascended to become the second-largest city in Taiwan in terms of population, excelling in industries such as optics, precision machinery, and semiconductors. Leveraging its advantageous geographical location, abundant talent, and efficient administration, Taichung has emerged as an ideal city for international investments.
Not only does the Costco store in Nantun, Taichung, rank among the top-performing stores globally, but branch stores of major department stores like Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and Far Eastern Department Store in Taichung have also shown remarkable profits. Despite the pandemic, the Japanese Mitsubishi Group persisted in opening outlets and the Lalaport shopping center in Taichung. Mayor Lu Hsiu-yan believes that the Taichung City Government, through the Economic Development Bureau coordinating and providing services through a single window, offers investors more convenient services. To attract businesses, the city government has moderately reduced land and property taxes to ease the financial burden on enterprises.
According to data from the Taiwan Ministry of Economy, Taichung City has attracted over 300 companies to invest, with the majority being foreign companies or Taiwanese expats returning. Mayor Lu Hsiu-yan pledged that the city government would fully assist and support investors, providing them with the highest quality services.
Other distinguished guests at the event included former President of the Republic of China, Yuan Chien-sheng, Taiwan’s representative to the United States, Chi Chin-yao, Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Chen Min-yung, Director of the Los Angeles Overseas Chinese Center, Xiao Beiru, as well as leaders and representatives from the Southern California Taiwanese community and overseas Chinese associations. These figures included Lee Jin-sheng, Chairman of the Chinese American Association of Los Angeles, Luo Ming, representing the Vietnamese Chinese community in the United States, honorary supervisor of the Federation of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America Lin Tsui-yun, and Vice Chairman of the World Federation of Overseas Chinese Business Women Managers Association Chen Ling-hua, among others.