TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) signed a letter of intent on Monday with Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyy to join the Unbroken Cities Network, a global support network to help Ukrainian cities affected by the war against Russia.

Kaohsiung is the first Asian city to join the initiative, with other members including Manchester and Liverpool in the U.K.; Cannes, France; Oslo, Norway; and Rzeszow, Poland.

Sadovyy led his delegation to Kaohsiung to hold talks with Chen on medical cooperation and community reconstruction, according to the Kaohsiung City Government. Chen affirmed Kaohsiung's support for freedom and peace. He extended condolences to Ukraine for the losses suffered in the war and commended the nation’s courage during these challenging times.

Kaohsiung’s government and private sectors have provided aid to Ukraine, Chen said. There have also been cultural exchanges between Kaohsiung and Ukraine, he pointed out. 

In 2022, the Kaohsiung Film Festival showcased films depicting societal changes in Ukraine and Russia. The next year, the Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra performed in Kaohsiung to widespread acclaim, he said.

Sadovyy thanked Kaohsiung for its hospitality and commended the city’s commitment to freedom and democracy, which inspires Lviv amid the war against Russia. He said the visit to Kaohsiung was an opportunity to gain insights into its achievements in healthcare, culture, and technology.

Last week, Taiwan agreed to fund renovations for the Unbroken Medical Campus in Lviv. The new rehabilitation facility will house various medical departments, and offer physical therapy, psychological counseling, and prosthetics fitting. The building is expected to accommodate 13,000 patients.