Q: Wireless broadband and resource recycling are things both "familiar and strange" to large numbers of Taipei citizens. Why did the city government choose these two themes for its World Expo proposals? What was the key to winning the expo's favor?

A: Taipei began planning and implementing its "New Internet City" policy in 1999, and was providing wireless network coverage to 90% of its populace (roughly 2.36 million people) by 2006. This led an international accreditation organization to recognize Taipei's public wireless broadband network as the world's largest.

As for the recycling theme... since improving our recycling capabilities and implementing a system of charging for trash disposal by the bag in 2000, Taipei's household waste has dropped from 2,970 metric tons per day to just 1,009, a decline of 67%. We have also increased our recycle ratio to 43%. By the end of 2010, we expect to achieve our goal of zero waste to landfill.

Our achievements in these two arenas are the result of the combined diligence of our citizenry and the city-government team. While many citizens likely think these efforts don't amount to much, other cities are taking our city government as a model. This is the primary reason for the World Expo selection committee's endorsement of our proposals.

Q: What kind of benefits do you see to cross-strait cooperation and Taipei's international image resulting from the city's participation in the World Expo?

A: If you take an overview of current global development trends, you see that the city has become the hub of economic development and of human lives. Developing a city-oriented model of foreign relations is Taiwan's best bet for escaping its international straitjacket. As Taiwan's locomotive, Taipei is the key to this effort.

The siting of this World Expo in China meant that Taipei couldn't miss it. It offers an opportunity for the world to compare Taiwan's development to China's, and gain a clearer understanding of Taiwan's priceless citizen awareness, cultural creativity, and soft power. Taipei's tremendous success in the areas of environmentalism, energy conservation, resource recycling, and wireless communications will also spur mainland Chinese citizens to wonder: if Taipei can do it, then why can't Shanghai, Beijing, and other mainland cities? In addition to raising Taipei's international profile, we hope [the city's participation] will create benign competition between mainland and Taiwanese cities, resulting in better urban lives.

Q: In November, Taipei will host the International Flora Expo for the first time. The city's participation in the World Expo provides an excellent opportunity to promote the Flora Expo. Does the city currently have any concrete plans to use the World Expo to market the Flora Expo?

A: I believe that China and Taiwan both hosting important international expos this year will have a multiplying effect, especially since, owing to the city government's aggressive efforts, direct flights are set to begin between Taipei's Songshan Airport and Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport. This will make travel between Taiwan and the mainland all the more convenient.

The city government, EVA Air, and the Shanghai Tourism Bureau will soon roll out an inexpensive package trip coupling a visit to Taipei with attendance of the World Expo. We see it appealing to Europeans and Americans visiting Shanghai for the World Expo, providing them with an opportunity to also tour Taipei. There will be a similar Shanghai tour on offer during the Flora Expo. We see these packages benefiting both cities, creating a win-win situation for both Taipei and Shanghai.