Translated by Cara Steenstra

News released by Government Information Office

Release Date: 2006-01-01

In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Republic of China, Taichung City Government and the people of Taichung city gathered at the sports ground of GuangFu Elementary School on January 1 for the New Year's Day flag raising ceremony. Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu's new year wish was that Taichung City would become the most lively, comfortable and livable young city that improves at the quickest pace. He also expressed that in the next four years, the Taichung City Government team will work hard at public safety standards, so that citizens can enjoy peace of mind and live happily. Mayor Hu also wrote his wish onto a "wish balloon" card. He wrote down the words of "Dream City Taichung Takes off" and hopes that Taichung City will have even better development in public safety, economics, culture and public infrastructure.

Mayor Hu expressed that at the beginning of a new year, we must first wish the people around us a Happy New Year, and he then proceeded to wish everyone happiness for the entire year. He also expressed that the weather that day was extremely good, even the sun was smiling. The New Year's Eve gala held that evening was already packed full with over 10,000 people before 9pm, which showed how warm and full of vitality Taichung is. Mayor Hu also pointed out that according to statistics, the average age of Taichung's 1,030,000 populations is only 31.7 years old. The population increase rate is also the quickest, and Taichung citizen's educational level is ranked second highest in the country. As for bi-coastal city competitiveness, Taichung is ranked ninth. All these statistics go to show that Taichung city is a young and well-educated city that is full of potential. This has direct impact on the future development of Taichung City. Mayor Hu also promised that in the next four years, the Taichung City Government team will work hard at public safety standards, and participate actively in the construction of the MRT system, the High Speed Rail system, on the improvement of the current railway system and other important transportation construction, so that Taichung city will become a young and beautiful dream city.