Following the signing of a trilateral MOU on economic exchange with the State of Arizona and Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai continued his U.S. visit and promptly led the city government delegation to Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city and a major hub in southern Arizona, widely known as “Optics Valley.” There, Kaohsiung joined the Arizona Commerce Authority, Pima County, the City of Tucson, the University of Arizona, and National Sun Yat-sen University in signing the Six-Party Memorandum of Understanding on Semiconductor Ecosystem Development and Global Talent Partnership at the iconic local landmark, the Pima County Historic Courthouse.
Mayor Chen noted that, following the establishment of a semiconductor strategic triangle among Taiwan, the United States, and Japan, this visit and the signing of the six-party MOU further symbolize Kaohsiung’s collaboration with the public, private, and academic sectors in the United States. Extending collaboration from the state level to local governments and universities, the initiative opens the door to more structured talent development and practical exchange.
Southern Arizona’s key economic and trade hub is aligned comprehensively with Kaohsiung, bringing a strong cross-sector delegation. The six-party courtesy visit was coordinated by Fernando Garcia, Executive Vice President of International Trade and Investment at the Arizona Commerce Authority. Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jennifer Allen attended in support, while Tucson City Manager Timothy Thomure led an economic delegation from the renowned Optics Valley. From academia, University of Arizona Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia headed a team that included deans from the College of Science, the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, and Arizona International, underscoring the shared commitment to advancing collaboration.
In his remarks, Mayor Chen noted that Tucson and Pima County are global centers for optical technologies, while Kaohsiung is ushering in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and steadily driving its long-term industrial transformation. He emphasized that talent and ecosystem development are central to competitiveness in the semiconductor sector, and that cooperation with Arizona is now moving beyond policy support towards concrete collaboration across industry, academic, and research sectors. He added that the core objective of the six-party MOU aims to build a stable, high-quality international talent pool. By combining the strengths of National Sun Yat-sen University and the University of Arizona in electrical engineering, materials science, and optical sciences with the well-established industrial clusters in both regions, the partnership is designed to respond to the rapidly shifting global supply chains and build a highly resilient cross-border semiconductor ecosystem.
Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jennifer Allen extended a warm welcome to the Kaohsiung delegation, noting the two regions share a dynamic culture and a commitment to transformation. She stressed that the partnership goes beyond intergovernmental ties, serving as a meaningful bridge between southern Arizona and southern Taiwan.
Tucson City Manager Timothy Thomure said Tucson is actively transforming positioning itself into a hub for semiconductor equipment and advanced packaging and testing. He added that the Six-Party framework will help attract more supply chain partners while facilitating practical exchanges in urban governance and economic development.
Director-General Chang Yen-ching of the Department of Administrative and International Affairs indicated that the delegation’s visit from Phoenix, the capital city of the State of Arizona, to Tucson, a southern economic and trade hub, not only established a trans-Pacific semiconductor strategic framework but also enabled practical and in-depth engagement with local governmental partners. Through the establishment of the six-party partnership, she noted, the Kaohsiung City Government team also tangibly aligns efforts in research and talent development, further strengthening the long-term Taiwan–U.S. partnership in both intercity exchanges and industry collaborations.