Visiting Lithuanian delegation explores ports, maritime cooperation

Taipei, Aug. 10 (CNA) A group led by Lithuanian Deputy Transportation Minister Agne Vaiciukevičiūtė visited Kaohsiung, home to Taiwan's largest international commercial harbor, on Tuesday, seeking to promote bilateral exchanges on port management and maritime transport.

Calling Kaohsiung a city "full of warmth and vigor," Vaiciukevičiūtė said her ministry was looking to have Lithuania's largest seaport, the port of Klaipeda, forge sister-city ties with Kaohsiung Port to encourage exchanges.

The reception for the delegation was hosted by Lee Hsien-yi (李賢義), chairman of Taiwan International Port Corp. (TIPC), a state-owned shipping company that operates ports, including Kaohsiung Port and six other international commercial ports, in Taiwan.

Lee expressed the desire to explore opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, especially on applications of smart technologies in port management and operations, through discussions with the delegation.

The 11-member group, which arrived in Taiwan on Sunday for a five-day visit, is scheduled to tour Taichung-based RAC Electric Vehicles Inc. on Wednesday to explore the possibility of E-bus cooperation.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit was the third in a series of deputy-ministerial visits to Taiwan by the Eastern European country.

It follows visits by Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Vice Minister Jovita Neliupšienė on June 12, and Agriculture Vice Minister Egidijus Giedraitis on June 22.