Mayor Hou gifts a 2025 Summer World Masters Game commemorative cap and set of pins to Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee (left)

On March 21st, Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich led a delegation to meet with New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih[MOU1] , discussing investment promotion and development initiatives.
 
In his remarks, Mayor Hou noted that this was the third consecutive year that the delegation had traveled to Taiwan for the Smart City Summit & Expo. Recalling his meeting with County Executive Elrich last year, he expressed his gratitude to the delegation for their return visit. Emphasizing the strong economic ties between Taiwan and the U.S., Mayor Hou pointed out that New Taipei City is a major tech hub in Taiwan, boasting well-established industry ecosystems in the fields of AI, green energy, and biotech. Highlighting the many leading technology companies based in New Taipei City, he welcomed investment from Maryland and Montgomery County, expressing interest in leading a delegation to Maryland for future exchanges.


Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (left) meets with Mayor Hou. Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee sits to their right


Mayor Hou poses for a photo with Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson (left)

Secretary of State Lee remarked that both the U.S. and Taiwan have significant strengths in the AI industry. She mentioned that Maryland has a highly skilled talent pool as well as thriving biotech and high-tech industries, inviting Taiwanese companies to consider investing in the state. As this is his third visit to New Taipei, County Executive Elrich described Mayor Hou as an old friend. He emphasized that Montgomery County is one of the top three biotech hubs in the U.S., highlighting the Institute for Health Computing at the University of Maryland, which attracts top talent to the county. He expressed his hope for further collaboration with New Taipei City.
 

Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee (left) meets with Mayor Hou

The delegation included Maryland Secretary of State Lee, Montgomery County Executive Elrich, Montgomery County councilmember Andrew Friedson, Special Projects Director Judy Costello, Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations Alexandria Li[MOU2] u, The Pinea Group CEO Bei Ma, Maryland Secretary of State Executive Assistant Cathy Bauer, and Taipei Computer Association Consultant Wang Zan-yu. Mayor Hou was accompanied by the New Taipei City Economic Development Department Director Sheng Hsiao-rung, Secretariat Director General Yao Ching-yu, Environmental Protection Bureau Chief Secretary Hsu Ming-chih, and Economic Development Department Senior Specialist Lin Fang-liang.


Mayor Hou poses for a group photo with the visiting delegation. The delegation members include Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee (fourth right), Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (third left), Montgomery County councilmember Andrew Friedson (second left), Special Projects Director Judy Costello (first left), Special Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations Alexandria Li[MOU1] u (second right), The Pinea Group CEO Bei Ma (third right), Maryland Secretary of State Executive Assistant Cathy Bauer (first right)