In light of the approaching World Masters Games 2025 (WMG 2025) in Taipei and New Taipei, the New Taipei City Government invited delegations from various sister cities to join in the festivities, the first of which has already arrived in Taiwan. On May 5, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih met with guests from German sister city (county) Landkreis Starnberg, including City Councilor and Chairman of VHS StarnbergAmmerse Tim Weidner. The two sides exchanged views on education, industry, and energy. The 25-member Landkreis Starnberg delegation will attend the WMG opening ceremony on May 17, which will mark the beginning of this international sporting event.
 
Mayor Hou noted that New Taipei City and Landkreis Starnberg have enjoyed a 40-year friendship. Since the sister city relationship was established in 1985, exchange has been frequent. New Taipei City Municipal Sanmin Senior High School and Gymnasium Landschulheim Kempfenhausen in Landkreis Starnberg have also maintained a sister school relationship for over 30 years, with more than 20 mutual visits so far. Prior to the delegation’s visit to City Hall, they took a trip to Sanmin Senior High School, enjoying lively interactions with students and teachers. Mayor Hou remarked that Germany places great emphasis on vocational education and expressed hope for more opportunities for exchange between schools in New Taipei and Germany.
 

Mayor Hou shakes hands with Landkreis Starnberg District Councilor [MOU1] Anne Franke (right).

Members of the delegation recalled New Taipei City’s assistance to Landkreis Starnberg during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing medical supplies that benefited nearly every resident in the county. The people of Landkreis Starnberg remain deeply grateful for this act of friendship. Mayor Hou said he was glad the supplies were put to good use and thanked former Landkreis Starnberg County Commissioner Karl Roth for exchanging valuable pandemic prevention experience with New Taipei.
 

Mayor Hou presents the World Masters Games mascot “Strong” to Landkreis Starnberg City Councilor Tim Weidner (left).

Tim Weidner emphasized that New Taipei City was Landkreis Starnberg’s first sister city relationship, and that their 40-year bond carries great significance. He also thanked Mayor Hou for inviting them to the WMG opening ceremony. In the future, beyond educational exchanges that offer students more opportunities for visits, he also hopes that Landkreis Starnberg can learn from New Taipei City’s experiences in renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and sustainable governance.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the sister city partnership between New Taipei City and Landkreis Starnberg, Germany. Mayor Hou and city officials warmly received the visiting delegation.

The delegation included Landkreis Starnberg Councilors Anne Franke, Stefanie von Winning, Wolfgang Weber-Guskar, and Martin Pilgram; CEO of VHS StarnbergAmmerse Christine Loibl; Honorary Chairperson of the Sino-German Cultural and Economic Association Han Yi-ching; as well as New Taipei City Deputy Secretary-General Ko Ching-chung, Economic Development Department Commissioner Sheng Hsiao-rung, Director-General of the Secretariat Juh Hui-mei, Education Department Commissioner Chang Ming-wen, Sanmin Senior High School Principal Peng Sheng-tso, and Professor Chen Yi-fan of Tamkang University’s Department of Diplomacy and International Relations.