Tacoma's Sister City since 2000.

The island of Taiwan is located 100 miles off the coast of Mainland China between Japan and Hong Kong. Portuguese mariners who reached Taiwan in the 16th Century named it Formosa, which means beautiful.

Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan and is home to approximately 914,000 residents, 13 colleges, numerous temples and Taiwan's 2nd largest port - Taichung Port.

The eastern half of the area features mountains, river valleys and forests, including the snow-capped Mt. Jade, the highest mountain in Taiwan. The western half has plains, basins, terraces, and miles of beautiful seashore. Taichung is an economic, cultural, industrial and educational center of Taiwan and an important transportation hub.

Taichung takes pride in its clean environment, cultural and educational activities, open space and recreational facilities, business vitality, and industrial and high-tech development. The City also places emphasis on social welfare programs, such as city-build day care centers, regular health check-ups for elders and insurance for the low-income families.

Taiwan's central government has designated Taichung as one of the regional manufacturing operation centers in the Asia-Pacific owing to it strong industrial base. Some 70% of Taiwan's newly developed industrial zones are in this area.

Taichung is home to approximately 914,000 residents, 13 colleges, numerous famous temples and Taiwan's 2nd largest port - Taichung Harbor.

Taichung Sister City Committee Chair

Bill Baarsma