Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai met with Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis on June 25th for the twinning of Kaohsiung and the Kittitian capital of Basseterre, making the city the 40th Sister-City of Kaohsiung. Mayor Chen led the Kaohsiung City Government officials in welcoming Prime Minister Drew and his delegation. The twinning ceremony featured a surprising video clip detailing the urbanization and beauty of Kaohsiung. At the same time, projection lights representing the Kittitian flag colors were projected onto the Kaohsiung Music Center as a gesture of hospitality. Mayor Chen also waved a large fisherman’s flag featuring the flags of Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis and images of Kaohsiung skyline with Prime Minister Drew, symbolizing mutual prosperity of the two countries and cities. Mayor Chen said both countries have been diplomatic allies for over 40 years. Kaohsiung looks forward to cooperating substantively with Basseterre in smart city, medicine, sustainable development, tourism, and culture. The twinning of Kaohsiung and Basseterre not only enhances the relationship between the two cities but also deepens the democratic ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Terrence Drew of Saint Christopher and Nevis and his delegation officially visited Taiwan between June 22nd and 26th. Prime Minister Drew came to Kaohsiung on June 25th and met with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-Mai to sign the sister-city agreement. Prime Minister Drew holds a concurrent role as the Mayor of Basseterre, the capital of Saint Christopher and Nevis. Both sides signed the “Sister-City Agreement between Kaohsiung and Basseterre” under the blessings of Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Kang Yu-Cheng, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Remus L. K. Chen, ROC, Ambassador to Saint Christopher and Nevis Michael C. H. Lin., and Saint Christopher and Nevis Ambassador to ROC Donya L. Francis.
In his welcome remark, Mayor Chen Chi-Mai pointed out that Taiwan and Saint Christopher and Nevis share the values of democracy and freedom and over 40 years of diplomatic relationship. Such a relationship deepened under the leadership of Prime Minister Drew. Kaohsiung is very honored to twin with Basseterre. Both Prime Minister Drew and I have a medical background, and we care about the health of our citizens very much. Kaohsiung is looking forward to strengthening our relationship with Saint Christopher and Nevis in smart medicine and public health,” said Mayor Chen. The twinning of Kaohsiung and Basseterre will enable both sides to develop closer relationships in areas such as smart cities, medicine, culture, and tourism.
Prime Minister Drew was impressed by the hospitality offered by Kaohsiung and hopes to plan a longer stay next time for a more profound experience. The climate of Basseterre is very similar to that of Kaohsiung, which has abundant sunshine all year round. Both cities have much potential to cooperate in human resources and technology. Many Kittitian students are already studying in Taiwan, and Kittitians will definitely hold cultural activities and traditional music performances in Kaohsiung in the future. Prime Minister Drew further emphasized that both cities became sister cities because of shared values, and this is a massive step towards a deepened partnership. Especially since Kaohsiung is already a smart city, and the twinning allows bilateral cooperation between Basseterre and Kaohsiung and can lead to a mutually beneficial relationship that focuses on smart city, medicine, agriculture, tourism, and culture.
During the twinning ceremony, Mayor Chen invited Prime Minister Drew to wave a large fisherman’s flag together, symbolizing a fruitful relationship between the two cities and a long-lasting alliance between the two countries. This unique fisherman’s flag, designed exclusively for the twinning ceremony, features the flag colors of both countries and the Kaohsiung skyline. Since both Kaohsiung and Basseterre are maritime cities, Prime Minister Drew also presented a photo of the Basseterre harbor to Mayor Chen in return. The atmosphere at the scene was very lively.
To welcome Prime Minister Drew and his delegation, the Kaohsiung Bear mascot made a surprise appearance and presented seasonal local fruits to the guests. The Kaohsiung City Government also prepared a short video clip introducing the city. According to Ms. Chang Yen-Ching, Director-General of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs, Kaohsiung City invited Kittitian students in Taiwan to film a welcome video with the youth ambassadors of Kaohsiung City, which showcases the youth’s perspective on an energetic and passionate Kaohsiung and its construction and development. In the video, the Kittitian students also recommended Kaohsiung’s light rail, the beautiful scenery of Cijin, and local delicacies such as sweet potato balls that are too good to miss. The Kittitian flag colors were also projected onto the Kaohsiung Music Center at night to symbolize everlasting friendship.
Under the arrangement of the Kaohsiung City Government, Prime Minister Drew and his delegation also took a cultural cruise around the Kaohsiung harbor to witness the beautiful scenery and recent development of Kaohsiung, visiting industrial and cultural sites such as the Asia New Bay Area District, the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, the Kaohsiung Music Center, and the Pier-2 Art District. According to Director-General Chang Yen-Ching, Kaohsiung will continue to promote city diplomacy and solidify international relations while seeking opportunities to cooperate with cities worldwide in various ways.