Taipei City,
Republic of China
Since 1979
Committee Chair: Allen Chang
About
Taipei City
Mayor
Ko Wen-je
2,695,652
Mandarin Chinese
Taipei originated as a small trading port over two hundred years ago before becoming the political, financial, and cultural center of Taiwan, as the island's most populous city. During the last few decades there has been tremendous growth in the city. Now a sprawling metropolis, Taipei is an ideal place to visit for those who love the hustle and bustle of the big city.
There are many tourism attractions in Taipei. Among them, the most famous ones are Taipei Building 101, the 4th tallest building in the world, and National Palace Museum, which houses one of the world's largest collections of artifacts from ancient China. It also offers easy access to beautiful parks and nature trails such as Elephant Mountain and Yangmingshan National Park.
Taipei City's industrial environment has progressed into a new era in line with changes around the globe. As the nation’s capital, Taipei City is devoted to improving its infrastructure and building an environment favorable for production and economic activities. In addition to building a quality investment environment and attracting outside companies to move in, the city government has also introduced several incentives, subsidies and guidance measures in order to encourage increased research and innovation as well as to improve added value and competitiveness from enterprises. Meanwhile, the department is pro-actively paving the way for technology industries, including biotech and cloud computation, and creative design industries by combining Taipei Neihu Technology Park, Nankang Software Park, and Beitou-Shilin Technology Park into a Taipei Technology Corridor, which will become the core of Taipei City's industrial growth and the beginning of a transformed economy.
And of course, Taiwan has long been regarded as a food mecca, most recently being voted the top food destination in the world according to a 2015 CNN poll. Taipei has no shortage of delicious food, found in classy restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, as well as in the street stalls of its popular night markets.
About the Partnership
Taipei became Atlanta’s 7th sister city on November 5, 1979. Mayor Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African-American mayor and Mayor Teng-hui Lee, Taipei’s mayor at the time who would go on to become Taiwan’s first democratically elected President, formally established the sister city relationship.
In 1993, Mayor Jackson, serving his third term, announced the creation of an Atlanta Trade Representative office in Taipei, signaling further increased cooperation between the two sister cities.
The Taiwanese government established the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Atlanta in 2006--the southern headquarters, representing the six southeastern states of: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. TECO also helped coordinate a Taiwan Buyers’ Mission to Atlanta in 2011, organized by the American Institute of Taiwan’s Agricultural Trade Office. The mission included nine major Taiwanese agricultural companies looking to import a variety of produce.
In 2015, Taiwan’s Youth International Ambassadors visited Atlanta as one of the cities on their worldwide tour to promote Taiwanese culture. The Youth Ambassadors held their dance and music performance at Emory University, and also participated in cultural discussions and seminars.
Recent Activities
2020
In July 2020, TECO Atlanta, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of Greater Georgia, and ROC Veterans in Atlanta celebrated American's independence day by donating 12,000 masks to the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. The donation was received by GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby and served as appreciation for the service members' contribution to their country.
In October, the Southeast Chinese Golf Association (SECGA) hosted a golf tournament to celebrate the 109th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Past Activities
2019
To commemorate the sister city relationship in March 2019, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms welcomed Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je to discuss the sister city relationship, trade, and youth exchanges.
A reception was hosted at the Center for Puppetry Arts, and a tree planting ceremony took place along the Atlanta BetLine with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and remarks from Deputy Chief Operating Officer Jon Keen and Ms. Ibarra.
Jon Keen provided remarks stating that "Atlanta and Taipei have fostered a dynamic and fruitful sister city relationship and have pursued many exchanges focused on culture, academics, and business...the City of Atlanta is very proud of this historical relationship with Taipei and the Taiwanese presence in our community."
2016
In 2015, the Atlanta-Taipei Sister City Committee established a Cultural Workshop series, hosted at local Atlanta libraries, to teach Atlanta residents about Taiwanese culture. This year the Atlanta-Taipei Sister City Committee continued its Chinese Culture workshop series with events at the Mountain View Library in January 2016 and the Switzer Library in May 2016. The events were great successes and we were happy to partner with our local libraries to foster a better sister-city relationship.
The Atlanta-Taipei Sister City Committee also sponsored a table at the Taste of Taiwan gala banquet dinner held at the Atlanta History Center in September 2016, emceed by Patricia Ford, the first Chinese-American Miss Georgia. The event had more than 400 attendees, and featured cuisine from award-winning Taiwanese chefs.
In an effort to increase the scope of its projects, the Atlanta-Taipei Sister City Committee began putting together its proposal for a symbolic garden or plaque in an Atlanta public space to represent the Atlanta-Taipei Sister City relationship.