Richardson officials established a Friendship City relationship with Keelung City, Taiwan June 24, creating a framework for educational, cultural and economic cooperation between the two cities.
Richardson Mayor Amir Omar and Keelung City Mayor Kuo-Liang Hsieh signed a memorandum of understanding in front of Richardson City Council members, city staff, a delegation from Keelung City and members of the Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce.
“Richardson is proud to be known as the international business capital of North Texas, a city that welcomes the world and is stronger for it,” Omar said. “Our relationship with Keelung deepens that vision.”
The big picture
Omar said Richardson and Keelung City, a major port city located near capital city Taipei, share “a deep belief in innovation, in education [and] in investing in the next generation.”
“As Taiwan’s international harbor getaway, Keelung enjoys a strategic location and well-developed maritime and land transportation networks,” Hsieh said through a translator. “In recent years, we have actively advanced port development, urban revitalization and tourist enhancement.”
Specific areas of cooperation identified in the memorandum include cultural exchange opportunities for residents, such as youth experiences and language education, as well as networking opportunities for economic development and business partnerships.
“Economic development, international partnerships and business investment are critical to maintaining the quality of services and the exceptional quality of life our residents enjoy,” City Manager Don Magner said. “The relationships we build through international collaboration create [opportunities] that benefit both of our communities for years to come.”
How we got here
Charles Ku, honorary president of the Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, said he has advocated for Richardson to establish a sister city agreement with a Taiwanese city for 30 years.
Mayor Bob Dubey began the process during his term of office and council approved a resolution in September to support establishing the agreement with Keelung City. A delegation of Richardson officials visited Keelung City later that month.
“Taiwan welcomed me and our delegation with extraordinary warmth,” Omar said. “I had the privilege of meeting business leaders, civic innovators and government officials—conversations that opened real doors for Richardson and for companies that might one day call our city home.”
Hsieh said the memorandum will serve as a starting point for “meaningful exchanges” between the cities on cultural diversity, economic strength, tourism and governance.
“Keelung looks forward to building a deeper and more collaborative relationship with Richardson, particularly in technology, education, innovation and cultures,” Hsieh said.
