Chen Chi-mai, mayor of the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, recently led a delegation to the United States, visiting San Jose City Hall and Stanford University in California to explore collaboration in smart city development and emerging technologies.
According to updates provided by San Francisco’s Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office, the visit aimed to deepen partnerships in urban governance, digital innovation, and public health, while also strengthening Kaohsiung’s global network in the high-tech sector.
During the visit to San Jose on March 20, Chen and his team were welcomed by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Director of International Affairs Joseph Hedges. The representatives of the two cities shared experiences on using technology to enhance urban management, including disaster prevention, transportation systems, and elderly care.
Kaohsiung officials talked about the city’s initiatives in digital governance and smart city infrastructure, while also discussing potential collaborations on data security and technological innovation.
Mahan praised the Taiwanese city’s forward-thinking approach and said that San Jose has been actively using advanced technology to improve the California city’s efficiency. He expressed enthusiasm for future cooperation and welcomed the opportunity for continued exchange between the two cities.
Chen, in turn, invited San Jose to participate in the 2026 Kaohsiung Smart City Expo. He also highlighted the possibility of establishing a formal sister-city relationship.
When the delegation visited Stanford University, the Taiwanese officials met with professor Chih-Hung Wang and other scholars specializing in health policy and data science. Their discussions focused on the role of technology in modernizing health care systems, strengthening public health responses, and enhancing urban resilience.
Chen shared about Kaohsiung’s experience in using data-driven strategies to manage public health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the importance of learning from international best practices to prepare for future crises and improve citywide health care services.
Following the meetings in San Jose and Stanford, the delegation is set to continue its engagements in Silicon Valley, with planned visits to leading tech companies Cisco and Super Micro Computer as well as to Berkeley’s startup accelerator SkyDeck. These visits aim to foster greater collaboration between Kaohsiung and the global tech ecosystem, attract investment, and support the city’s efforts in digital transformation and industrial upgrading.
By strengthening ties with key players in the U.S. tech and academic sectors, Kaohsiung continues to position itself as a leader in smart urban development and a hub for technological innovation in Asia.
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s second-largest city and home to the largest port in Taiwan. The Bashi Channel, one of the busiest shipping routes in the Pacific, passes through the area. Before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Kaohsiung also served as a naval base for the U.S. military in Taiwan.
In 2021, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) established a chip manufacturing base in Kaohsiung. Reports indicate that TSMC is currently planning to invest in building its third 3-nanometer chip fabrication plant in the city. Additionally, starting in 2025, TSMC will begin producing the world’s most advanced 2-nanometer chips in Kaohsiung.
