On November 15, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-Cheng attended the 2025 Taoyuan International Student Festival. He noted that Taoyuan is home to more than 12,000 international students. This is the city’s first time hosting the event and the first city-level International Student Festival in Taiwan. Mayor Chang said the festival aims to help international students learn more about Taiwan and also create opportunities for local and international students to connect. He hopes the event will inspire cross-cultural friendships, open minds, and encourage young people to look toward the future with a global perspective. He also thanked local universities and colleges for working together to make the event possible. He said the festival is an important platform for cultural exchange and international friendship.
Mayor Chang recalled his first visit to Belize last year. He said he was deeply impressed by the local culture. After returning to Taiwan, he helped arrange a student exchange program that sent Taoyuan high school students to Belize. According to their presentations, the trip was a powerful and memorable experience. He hopes that university students will also engage more with classmates from different countries. He encouraged them to take advantage of life on campus to explore new ideas, build friendships, and deepen their understanding of the world. He also urged students to think beyond one country or political viewpoint. He encouraged them to stay informed about international affairs and develop a global mindset.