TITLE
Recommendation to approve the application of Taoyuan City, Taiwan as the City's newest Sister City, and authorize the Mayor of Long Beach to take necessary actions and execute any and all documents to accomplish the establishment of such a relationship.
DISCUSSION
Taoyuan City is a multi-ethnic metropolis located in northwestern Taiwan. With a population of over 2 million, the city is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Taipei, in northeastern Taiwan, and occupies 470 square miles. Taoyuan is home to Taiwan's largest airport and shipping giant Evergreen Marine Corporation. It boasts a colorful tapestry of cultures, a thriving economy and magnificent natural surroundings. Taoyuan developed from a satellite city of the Taipei metropolitan area to become the fourth largest metropolitan area, and fifth largest populated city in Taiwan.
In 2019, the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. (SCLB) was approached by a group of Taiwan nationals seeking approval to initiate the process of forming a Sister City relationship with Long Beach. At its June 13, 2019, board meeting, SCLB entertained a presentation by the group and subsequently authorized the establishment of a Long Beach-Taoyuan Sister City Formation Committee to explore opportunities for a meaningful global partnership between the two cities.
Data developed by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) shows that Los Angeles County is America's top international trade gateway to Taiwan and is Taiwan's top gateway to the United States. Los Angeles County has the largest Taiwanese population of any county in the nation and has the largest number of Taiwanese students of any county in the nation. California is Taiwan's #1 trading partner among the U.S. states, and Taiwan is California's 6th largest export market. One-quarter of U. S. Taiwanese immigrants reside in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metro area.
The Taoyuan Sister City Formation Committee worked for almost two years establishing a solid support group and developing local relationships with key Long Beach stakeholders. Evergreen Marine Corporation at the Port of Long Beach appointed a representative to the committee in support. Also joining were professors at CSULB, local business owners, and community residents. The Committee hosted the 2019 Taoyuan Dragon Boat team visiting Long Beach to compete in the annual race and sponsored a "Taste of Taiwan", featuring the culinary excellence of three Taiwanese chefs from Taoyuan. Generally, the committee attended SCLB board meetings, sought and received advice from board members and worked on completing formation requirements and the formal application for Sister City status. At its December 8, 2020 meeting, the SCLB Board of Directors unanimously approved the attached application (Attachment A).
The board determined that a Long Beach - Taoyuan Sister City relationship could provide a mutually beneficial exchange and dialogue for business opportunities, port strategies and cultural enrichment. In keeping with the Sister City tradition, the partnership could also provide opportunities for friendship and social, economic and educational exchanges.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
Due to the time sensitivity of this request, this item is urgent in nature
FISCAL IMPACT
Because of the urgency of this item, a fiscal review was not able to be performed.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN COUNCILMAN,
EIGHTH DISTRICT