Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/12/19
By: Liang Pei-chih, Miu Tsung-han and Frances Huang 

Taipei, Dec. 19 (CNA) The twin-city forum between Taipei and Shanghai that opens in Taipei on Thursday will focus on economic issues and showcase the concept of a circular economy as its theme, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Wednesday.

The two-day forum, which has been held annually by the two cities since 2010, has sparked controversy because of China’s aggressive suppression of Taiwan in the international community, but Ko said that as long as the forum concentrates on economics rather than politics, it was unlikely to trigger disputes.

Ko was responding to comments by Chen Ming-tong (陳明通), head of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan’s top agency in charge of relations with China, who said earlier Wednesday he hoped the forum would not create political problems.

Chen said city exchanges across the Taiwan Strait are consistent with MAC policies and he therefore looked forward to seeing the forum between Taipei and Shanghai proceed smoothly and yield positive results.    [FULL  STORY]