立法院江啟臣副院長接見並款宴「美國東南地區州議會領袖訪問團」一行 江啟臣：盼深化台美地方夥伴關係 共創繁榮未來 Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang hosts dinner for U.S. Southeast state legislative leaders; Vice President Chiang: Taiwan looks forward to stronger Taiwan-U.S. local partnerships and shared prosperity
On the evening of August 4, Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) hosted a dinner for a delegation of state legislative leaders from the Southeastern United States led by Murrell Smith, House Speaker of South Carolina. Vice President Chiang was joined by KMT Legislator Liao Wei-Hsiang, Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-Hsin, National Chung Hsing University Vice President Tsai Ching-Piao, Tunghai University Vice President Yang Ding-Yah, and China Medical University Dean of Academic Affairs Yu Yung-Luen.
江副院長首先代表立法院及韓國瑜院長誠摯歡迎來自南卡羅萊納州、肯塔基州、喬治亞州、北卡羅萊納州、田納西州及阿拉巴馬州等6州議會領袖，並表示很榮幸能在家鄉台中接待貴賓。他曾在南卡羅萊納大學求學，席間也特別以南卡大「Gamecocks（鬥雞）」運動校隊口號「Go Cocks!」與史密斯議長相互問候，展現彼此共同的特殊情誼。副院長另提到甫於今年5月份前往亞特蘭大訪問，與喬治亞理工學院進行交流，對美國東南地區感到十分親切。他亦對美國國務院、商務部及農業部於6月份聯合致函各州州長，鼓勵持續擴大與台灣在經貿、教育、觀光及防災等領域的合作，讓台灣深受鼓舞。此外，台美不僅在中央政府間互動密切，地方層級的互動更日益熱絡；台灣與多州長期維持姊妹關係，台中市更與南卡羅來納州哥倫比亞市(Columbia)及喬治亞州哥倫布市(Columbus)締結姊妹市，彰顯雙方深厚友誼。
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) to the legislative leaders from six states—South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama—and said it was an honor to receive the delegation in his hometown of Taichung. Having studied at the University of South Carolina, Vice President Chiang and Speaker Smith exchanged the university’s Gamecocks cheer, “Go Cocks!” during the dinner, highlighting the special connection between them. Vice President Chiang also recalled his visit to Atlanta this May, during which he met with representatives of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and said he felt a particular affinity with the Southeastern United States. Vice President Chiang said Taiwan was also greatly encouraged by a joint letter sent by the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Agriculture to state governors in June, in which the three departments encouraged them to further expand cooperation with Taiwan in trade and economic relations, education, tourism, and disaster preparedness. He noted that Taiwan-U.S. ties are strong not only at the central government level but are also becoming increasingly close at the local level. Taiwan has maintained longstanding sister relationships with a number of U.S. states and cities. Taichung, in particular, has sister-city ties with Columbia, South Carolina, and Columbus, Georgia, reflecting the deep friendship between the two sides.
江副院長表示，美國東南地區是重要製造業重鎮，在航太、汽車、農業及先進科技等領域具全球競爭力；台中則是台灣高科技製造核心，在精密機械、智慧製造及綠能產業具有優勢，雙方產業高度互補，未來在經貿、教育、觀光及科技合作上具有廣大發展潛力。他並誠摯邀請更多美國州政府來台設立辦事處，深化地方夥伴關係，攜手推動台美合作，共創雙贏，也期盼訪團將台中的熱情與美好帶回美國，持續成為深化台美友誼的重要橋梁。
Vice President Chiang said the Southeastern United States is a major manufacturing hub with global competitiveness in aerospace, automobiles, agriculture, and advanced technology. Taichung, meanwhile, is one of Taiwan’s key high-tech manufacturing centers, with strengths in precision machinery, smart manufacturing, and green energy. Given the strong complementarity between their industries, he said there is considerable potential for further cooperation in trade and investment, education, tourism, and technology. Vice President Chiang also warmly invited more U.S. state governments to establish offices in Taiwan to deepen local partnerships and advance Taiwan-U.S. cooperation for mutual benefit. He expressed hope that the delegation would bring home fond memories of Taichung’s warmth and hospitality and continue to serve as an important bridge for strengthening the friendship between Taiwan and the United States.
史密斯議長首先感謝江副院長的熱情款待，並表示此次訪台親身見證台灣蓬勃的發展，對深化台美夥伴關係深具信心。他指出，美國東南地區近年已成為全美最具活力的經濟重鎮，在製造業、招商投資及產業發展方面成果卓著，而台灣展現出的創新能量與經濟韌性，與美國東南地區發展經驗高度契合，雙方都擁有廣闊的發展前景。他指出，真正的夥伴關係不僅是在順境中合作，更是在各種情勢下彼此支持，台灣一直是美國東南地區珍視的重要夥伴。
Speaker Smith thanked Vice President Chiang for his warm hospitality and said that the delegation’s visit had given its members an opportunity to witness Taiwan’s dynamic development firsthand, further strengthening his confidence in the prospects for a deeper Taiwan-U.S. partnership. He noted that the Southeastern United States has emerged in recent years as one of the country’s most dynamic economic regions, with impressive achievements in manufacturing, investment attraction, and industrial development. Taiwan’s innovative capacity and economic resilience, he said, closely align with the development experience of the U.S. Southeast region, giving both sides significant potential for future growth. Speaker Smith emphasized that a true partnership is not defined only by cooperation in good times, but by mutual support under all circumstances. Taiwan, he said, has long been a valued and important partner of the Southeastern United States.
史密斯議長並提及，南卡羅來納州哥倫比亞市及薩姆特市（Sumter）與台中市長期維持姊妹市關係，未來將積極推動地方首長互訪，深化交流。他強調，美國東南地區各州對台灣的支持不僅止於口頭承諾，更透過州議會決議及相關立法展現具體行動，未來將持續與台灣攜手推動經貿、投資及各領域合作，共同促進雙方繁榮發展。
Speaker Smith also noted that Columbia and Sumter in South Carolina have maintained longstanding sister-city relationships with Taichung. He said considerable efforts would be made to promote reciprocal visits between local government leaders and deepen exchanges in the years ahead. He stressed that support for Taiwan among Southeastern U.S. states goes beyond words and has been demonstrated through state legislative resolutions and related legislation. Looking ahead, he said the states would continue to work closely with Taiwan to advance cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas and to promote shared prosperity.
江副院長隨後舉杯向訪賓致意，宴席正式展開。席間雙方就我政經發展、台美關係、產業合作、無人機發展及台中市容建築等議題廣泛交換意見。晚宴歷約90分鐘，氣氛輕鬆友好，在江副院長與訪賓互贈紀念品後圓滿結束。（2026/08/04）
Vice President Chiang then raised a toast to the visiting guests, formally opening the dinner. During the evening, the two sides exchanged views on Taiwan’s political and economic development, Taiwan-U.S. relations, industrial cooperation, drone development, and Taichung’s urban development and architecture. The dinner lasted approximately 90 minutes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts between Vice President Chiang and the delegation.（2026/08/04）
立法院江啟臣副院長今（4）日晚間在國民黨廖偉翔委員、台中市鄭照新副市長、中興大學蔡清標副校長、東海大學楊定亞副校長、中國醫藥大學余永倫教務長陪同下，款宴由南卡羅萊納州眾議會議長史密斯（Hon. Murrell Smith）所率「美國東南地區州議會領袖訪問團」一行。
On the evening of August 4, Legislative Yuan Vice President Dr. Johnny C. Chiang (江啟臣) hosted a dinner for a delegation of state legislative leaders from the Southeastern United States led by Murrell Smith, House Speaker of South Carolina. Vice President Chiang was joined by KMT Legislator Liao Wei-Hsiang, Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-Hsin, National Chung Hsing University Vice President Tsai Ching-Piao, Tunghai University Vice President Yang Ding-Yah, and China Medical University Dean of Academic Affairs Yu Yung-Luen.
江副院長首先代表立法院及韓國瑜院長誠摯歡迎來自南卡羅萊納州、肯塔基州、喬治亞州、北卡羅萊納州、田納西州及阿拉巴馬州等6州議會領袖，並表示很榮幸能在家鄉台中接待貴賓。他曾在南卡羅萊納大學求學，席間也特別以南卡大「Gamecocks（鬥雞）」運動校隊口號「Go Cocks!」與史密斯議長相互問候，展現彼此共同的特殊情誼。副院長另提到甫於今年5月份前往亞特蘭大訪問，與喬治亞理工學院進行交流，對美國東南地區感到十分親切。他亦對美國國務院、商務部及農業部於6月份聯合致函各州州長，鼓勵持續擴大與台灣在經貿、教育、觀光及防災等領域的合作，讓台灣深受鼓舞。此外，台美不僅在中央政府間互動密切，地方層級的互動更日益熱絡；台灣與多州長期維持姊妹關係，台中市更與南卡羅來納州哥倫比亞市(Columbia)及喬治亞州哥倫布市(Columbus)締結姊妹市，彰顯雙方深厚友誼。
Vice President Chiang first extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Legislative Yuan and President Daniel K.Y. Han (韓國瑜) to the legislative leaders from six states—South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama—and said it was an honor to receive the delegation in his hometown of Taichung. Having studied at the University of South Carolina, Vice President Chiang and Speaker Smith exchanged the university’s Gamecocks cheer, “Go Cocks!” during the dinner, highlighting the special connection between them. Vice President Chiang also recalled his visit to Atlanta this May, during which he met with representatives of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and said he felt a particular affinity with the Southeastern United States. Vice President Chiang said Taiwan was also greatly encouraged by a joint letter sent by the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, and Agriculture to state governors in June, in which the three departments encouraged them to further expand cooperation with Taiwan in trade and economic relations, education, tourism, and disaster preparedness. He noted that Taiwan-U.S. ties are strong not only at the central government level but are also becoming increasingly close at the local level. Taiwan has maintained longstanding sister relationships with a number of U.S. states and cities. Taichung, in particular, has sister-city ties with Columbia, South Carolina, and Columbus, Georgia, reflecting the deep friendship between the two sides.
江副院長表示，美國東南地區是重要製造業重鎮，在航太、汽車、農業及先進科技等領域具全球競爭力；台中則是台灣高科技製造核心，在精密機械、智慧製造及綠能產業具有優勢，雙方產業高度互補，未來在經貿、教育、觀光及科技合作上具有廣大發展潛力。他並誠摯邀請更多美國州政府來台設立辦事處，深化地方夥伴關係，攜手推動台美合作，共創雙贏，也期盼訪團將台中的熱情與美好帶回美國，持續成為深化台美友誼的重要橋梁。
Vice President Chiang said the Southeastern United States is a major manufacturing hub with global competitiveness in aerospace, automobiles, agriculture, and advanced technology. Taichung, meanwhile, is one of Taiwan’s key high-tech manufacturing centers, with strengths in precision machinery, smart manufacturing, and green energy. Given the strong complementarity between their industries, he said there is considerable potential for further cooperation in trade and investment, education, tourism, and technology. Vice President Chiang also warmly invited more U.S. state governments to establish offices in Taiwan to deepen local partnerships and advance Taiwan-U.S. cooperation for mutual benefit. He expressed hope that the delegation would bring home fond memories of Taichung’s warmth and hospitality and continue to serve as an important bridge for strengthening the friendship between Taiwan and the United States.
史密斯議長首先感謝江副院長的熱情款待，並表示此次訪台親身見證台灣蓬勃的發展，對深化台美夥伴關係深具信心。他指出，美國東南地區近年已成為全美最具活力的經濟重鎮，在製造業、招商投資及產業發展方面成果卓著，而台灣展現出的創新能量與經濟韌性，與美國東南地區發展經驗高度契合，雙方都擁有廣闊的發展前景。他指出，真正的夥伴關係不僅是在順境中合作，更是在各種情勢下彼此支持，台灣一直是美國東南地區珍視的重要夥伴。
Speaker Smith thanked Vice President Chiang for his warm hospitality and said that the delegation’s visit had given its members an opportunity to witness Taiwan’s dynamic development firsthand, further strengthening his confidence in the prospects for a deeper Taiwan-U.S. partnership. He noted that the Southeastern United States has emerged in recent years as one of the country’s most dynamic economic regions, with impressive achievements in manufacturing, investment attraction, and industrial development. Taiwan’s innovative capacity and economic resilience, he said, closely align with the development experience of the U.S. Southeast region, giving both sides significant potential for future growth. Speaker Smith emphasized that a true partnership is not defined only by cooperation in good times, but by mutual support under all circumstances. Taiwan, he said, has long been a valued and important partner of the Southeastern United States.
史密斯議長並提及，南卡羅來納州哥倫比亞市及薩姆特市（Sumter）與台中市長期維持姊妹市關係，未來將積極推動地方首長互訪，深化交流。他強調，美國東南地區各州對台灣的支持不僅止於口頭承諾，更透過州議會決議及相關立法展現具體行動，未來將持續與台灣攜手推動經貿、投資及各領域合作，共同促進雙方繁榮發展。
Speaker Smith also noted that Columbia and Sumter in South Carolina have maintained longstanding sister-city relationships with Taichung. He said considerable efforts would be made to promote reciprocal visits between local government leaders and deepen exchanges in the years ahead. He stressed that support for Taiwan among Southeastern U.S. states goes beyond words and has been demonstrated through state legislative resolutions and related legislation. Looking ahead, he said the states would continue to work closely with Taiwan to advance cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas and to promote shared prosperity.
江副院長隨後舉杯向訪賓致意，宴席正式展開。席間雙方就我政經發展、台美關係、產業合作、無人機發展及台中市容建築等議題廣泛交換意見。晚宴歷約90分鐘，氣氛輕鬆友好，在江副院長與訪賓互贈紀念品後圓滿結束。（2026/08/04）
Vice President Chiang then raised a toast to the visiting guests, formally opening the dinner. During the evening, the two sides exchanged views on Taiwan’s political and economic development, Taiwan-U.S. relations, industrial cooperation, drone development, and Taichung’s urban development and architecture. The dinner lasted approximately 90 minutes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts between Vice President Chiang and the delegation.（2026/08/04）