Mayor Huang Wei-che of Tainan City and Mayor Robert Menard of the city of Béziers concluded the sister city signing ceremony via con-call on the evening of November 3. The procedure was witnessed by Consul Général Amb. Shen Cheng-Hong of the Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France, Bureau d'Aix-en-Provence. This is Tainan’s first signatory city in France and the first sister city of Béziers in East Asia. The fact that this alliance between the two oldest cities of Taiwan and France, respectively, was finalized before the Tainan 400 Event makes it even more significant.
Mayor Huang Wei-che said that the partnership between the cities of Tainan and Béziers was made possible as both places have long histories, rich cultures, and abundant historical buildings as well as a shared pursuit of freedom and democracy. Mayor Robert Menard is the founder of Reporters sans frontière (RSF) and his efforts to defend the freedom of the media are well known throughout the world. Tainan also honors the endeavors of its democracy pioneers, and to commemorate our hard-won liberty and democracy, the city has declared March 13 as Tainan City Justice and Courage Day and April 7 as Freedom of Speech Day.
Mayor Huang further pointed out that the alliance between the two cities is noteworthy as it not only symbolizes the close friendship between Taiwan and France but also demonstrates the commitment of the two cities to promoting culture, history, tourism, and democracy. He looks forward to more exchanges and collaborations that will further benefit the two cities in the coming years. Huang also invited Mayor Menard to bring a delegation to Tainan next year (2024) to take part in the Tainan 400 event series and discuss issues pertaining to culture, democracy, and liberty.
Mayor Robert Menard expressed that he had previously visited Taiwan when working with Reporters sans frontière and witnessed Taiwan’s pursuit of freedom of speech. He thanked the Bureau de Représentation de Taipei en France Bureau d’Aix-en-Provence for connecting the two cities. Menard further stated that the two cities’ partnership is a result of their steadfast defense of democracy as well as their respective lengthy histories. He is excited to work with Tainan to promote democracy and liberty and looks forward to returning for the Tainan 400 event next year.
Consul Général Shen Cheng-hong pointed out that Tainan’s democracy movement pioneers brought an end to Taiwan’s dictatorship and established democracy in the country. Béziers is the hometown of Jean Moulin, the leader of the French Resistance, and every year a new bronze statue honoring a chosen hero is erected to celebrate the valuableness of democracy. Shen said that Tainan and Béziers have long and illustrious histories and both actively promote democracy and freedom. The two cities complement each other through this new partnership and he hopes that there will be more cooperation and exchanges in economy and culture in the future. During the signing ceremony, Shen presented a commemorative canvas bag with hand-painted monuments of the two cities on it and the city flower of Tainan – orchids - to congratulate the two cities on their new sister city partnership.
Founded in 625 BC, the city of Béziers is the oldest city in France and has been awarded the title of “the Capital of Art and History” by the French Ministry of Culture. Other sister cities of this ancient city in southern France include Maaloula in Syria and Tchortkiv in Ukraine, and Tainan City has been added to the sister city sign put up at the point where the highway enters Béziers city.