Kaohsiung Establishes Sister City Ties with Pima County and Tucson, Signs Education MOU

Central News Agency, Kaohsiung, June 1. The Kaohsiung City Government held a sister city signing ceremony yesterday with Pima County and Tucson, Arizona. Kaohsiung Education Bureau Director Wu Li-sen also signed a tripartite education exchange memorandum (MOU), laying a foundation for Taiwan-US educational cooperation. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai signed the agreements with Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Pima County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Matt Heinz, making them Kaohsiung's 48th and 49th sister cities. Chen stated that this alliance is a milestone in city diplomacy, demonstrating a shared commitment to democratic values and deepening industrial and educational cooperation. Romero noted that both cities share a vision for technology development, innovation, and talent cultivation. Tucson is known as the "Optics Valley," while Kaohsiung is a core hub for advanced manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. Heinz mentioned that Pima County has visited Taiwan and Kaohsiung three times in the past two years, and this alliance marks the beginning of bilateral governance experience exchange. Kaohsiung International Affairs Director Chang Yen-ching stated that this alliance and MOU represent a concrete practice of combining city diplomacy with international education. Wu Li-sen pointed out that Kaohsiung has already established 18 partner schools in the US and looks forward to promoting cooperation through online learning, international thematic courses, and educational visits.