Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen Visits German Parliament, Conveys Commitment to Democracy and Indo-Pacific Security

(Central News Agency, Special Correspondent Lin Shang-ying, Berlin, 9th) Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen visited the German Bundestag during her trip to Germany. In an interview with the Central News Agency today, she stated that German political circles are highly concerned about the security of the Taiwan Strait and cross-strait relations. During exchanges with the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Taiwan, she conveyed her determination to uphold democratic rule of law and liberal values, as well as her stance on maintaining national security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mayor Lu led a city government delegation to Europe on the 6th, with Germany as the first stop. The delegation visited the Brandenburg State Parliament and the Berlin City Government. Today, she visited the German Bundestag at the invitation of the cross-party German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Taiwan.

After the exchange with the Friendship Group, Mayor Lu told the Central News Agency that although Taiwan and Germany are 9,000 kilometers apart, Germany is a country that values democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, its political circles are highly concerned about cross-strait issues and Taiwan's security. The two sides held extensive discussions on these topics during the meeting.

She explained that the exchange aimed to convey to the German side her determination to uphold democratic rule of law and liberal values, as well as her stance on maintaining national security and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. She hopes this will help Germany and Europe gain a better understanding of Taiwan and deepen Taiwan's connections with the international community.

Mayor Lu noted that many people may not realize that Taichung City has had very frequent exchanges with Germany and European countries in recent years. Just two weeks ago, members of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Taiwan visited Taichung, and the Taichung city government delegation is now making a reciprocal visit to Germany. She said the German side places great importance on this, and the two sides have demonstrated a relationship of mutual trust.

Mayor Lu pointed out that the members of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Taiwan who hosted her hold significant influence in German politics. She revealed that the group's chairman, Till Steffen, mentioned during the exchange that the last Taiwanese political figure hosted at the German Bundestag was former President Tsai Ing-wen, and he was pleased to welcome another important woman from Taiwan.

Regarding external speculation that this visit to Europe is on par with the treatment given to former President Tsai Ing-wen, Mayor Lu responded, "Thank you for the compliment." She emphasized that Taichung City has been governed according to international city standards for the past seven years and has actively promoted city diplomacy. In recent years, it has maintained close exchanges with cities in Europe, the Americas, Japan, and Singapore, and is now beginning to reap the rewards.

During this visit to Germany, she signed a friendly exchange memorandum of understanding with Görlitz district in Saxony, which is near the TSMC Germany plant. This MOU aims to deepen cooperation in areas such as industry, energy transition, and local governance.

The city government delegation's next stop will be Dresden, the location of the TSMC Germany plant. Mayor Lu stated that after the TSMC Germany plant officially begins production next year, it is expected that approximately 2,000 German engineering professionals will come to Taichung for training each year, further strengthening exchanges between Taichung and Germany. (Editor: Tang Pei-jun) 1150610