Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Mayor Hau Lung-bin welcomed the representatives of religious organization from the PRC, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. The individuals are in Taipei to attend the Third International City God Culture Forum.
During his address, the mayor welcomed the foreign representatives to Taipei. He expressed his hope that the City will be able to host a City God Culture Festival by collaborating with the private sector.
The mayor pointed out that Taiwan is an immigrant society. In the early stages of the island’s history, religion served as the refuge for the people who left their homeland to work on this island. The city gods are the patron deities for cities and towns in Taiwan; they protect their ward and bring blessing to locals. Hau stressed that the core of city god belief center on the idea of ‘protection’ and ‘justice’. This philosophy has a far-lasting impact on Taiwanese society and helps to maintain stability.
He hoped that the foreign delegates attending this year’s forum will utilize the event as a platform to exchange their views and bring the city god religion to other parts of the world.
According to the mayor, the city hosts a variety of cultural and religious festival, including the Baosheng Cultural Festival, the Hakka Yimin Festival, and the Indigenous Culture Festival. He also welcomed the attendees to come back to the city during the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo.