TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) was in Los Angeles where she met with over 500 members of the Taiwanese-American community on Saturday (July 27). 

The mayor’s plans in the U.S. were interrupted by Typhoon Gaemi in Taiwan, forcing her to abruptly return to deal with the damage and flooding in Taichung. Despite the burden of three long-haul flights within five days, Lu joined the banquet on Saturday, reported CNA.

Lu told the audience that traveling to the U.S. and immediately returning to Taiwan to ensure the safety of Taichung residents was a tiring experience. However, Lu also made every effort to ensure she would still speak at Saturday’s event, paying for her second return flight with her personal funds. 

Although she has made many personal trips to the U.S., this is Lu’s first visit since she was elected mayor of Taichung in 2018. The purpose of this trip was to attract investment and promote Taichung as a friendly place for business, especially in cutting-edge technologies, per CNA. 

In her address, she highlighted Taichung’s booming local economy, the city’s educational services, and its policies to promote environmental protection. She also touted the advantages the city can offer to businesses in terms of a well-developed and skilled labor force. 

Lu initially arrived in Seattle on July 23 with plans for a 10-day tour of the United States to visit sister cities of Taichung. However, she returned to Taiwan the day after Typhoon Gaemi made landfall. 

She departed Taiwan again on Friday (July 26) to continue her planned itinerary in the U.S. She is expected to return to Taiwan at the beginning of August.