Taichung Mayor Lu Visits Czech Parliament and Prague City Hall to Exchange on Democracy and Urban Governance

Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen visited the Czech Republic as part of her European tour, holding meetings today with the Czech Senate and Prague City Hall. She met with Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, Chairman of the Foreign, Defense, and Security Committee Pavel Fischer, and Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, engaging in discussions on democratic development, international situations, and urban governance.

From June 6 to 15, Mayor Lu is leading a delegation to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. The mission aims to strengthen democratic alliances, deepen ties with sister cities, and expand business opportunities in Europe.

Mayor Lu told CNA reporters that "the Czech Republic and Prague are democratic sanctuaries of the world," expressing gratitude on behalf of the Taiwanese people for the Czech Republic’s consistent support for Taiwan. She highlighted Senate President Vystrčil’s visit to Taiwan in early June, stating, "They just visited us, and we immediately reciprocated—this shows how much we value our partnership with the Czech Republic and Prague."

The meeting with the Senate was so productive that it extended beyond the scheduled time. Both sides exchanged views on current international political dynamics and emphasized the importance of solidarity among democratic nations.

Later, Mayor Lu visited Prague City Hall, noting that despite geographical distance, Taiwan and the Czech Republic share similar democratic values, governance systems, and urban challenges. Both Taichung and Prague are major tourist cities facing common issues in transportation, education, culture, and urban planning.

Prague shared its experience with the "Metropolitan Plan," which balances historical preservation with modern infrastructure, education, and quality-of-life improvements. Mayor Lu highlighted that Taichung has been ranked Taiwan’s happiest city for eight consecutive years—the only city to achieve this distinction—and discussed strategies for building more livable, joyful urban environments.

After the meeting, Mayor Lu presented symbolic Taichung gifts, including Lishan tea, pineapple cakes, and Lake Heart Pavilion lacquerware. Mayor Svoboda reciprocated with a bouquet of flowers, symbolizing mutual friendship.