The award ceremony for the Excellent Governance Survey of 22 Counties and Cities, organized by the China Times, was held today (28th). Taichung City delivered an outstanding performance, receiving eight gold awards and three silver awards, ranking among the top. As Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen was attending a general interpellation session at the city council and was therefore unable to attend, Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-Hsin accepted the awards on her behalf. Deputy Mayor Cheng expressed his gratitude to the organizers for their thoughtful arrangements, emphasizing that the support of the citizens is the greatest driving force behind the advancement of municipal governance. He further underscored that a city’s competitiveness contributes directly to the country’s competitiveness. With concerted efforts, whether through central government subsidies to local governments or local government support for central government initiatives, mutual support and cooperation are more important than anything else.
Deputy Mayor Cheng, in his remark, noted that Taichung City received high acclaim in the areas of economic development, healthcare, educational quality, and social welfare. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for the direct feedback from the citizens reflected in the survey, saying that the encouragement and support from the citizens are even more meaningful than the survey data themselves. Being recognized and affirmed by the citizens, regarded as family, is the highest honor.
Furthermore, Taichung City was honored with two gold awards for “Sense of Well-being” and “Commitment to SDGs,” reflecting the city government’s dedication not only to urban development and economic growth but also to sustainable governance and people-centered care. Deputy Mayor Cheng emphasized that Taichung places great importance on the needs of its citizens, implementing initiatives such as the “Good Pregnancy Shuttle” service, providing the highest subsidies for egg and sperm freezing in Taiwan, and extending Double Ten bus discounts to foreigners with Alien Permanent Resident Certificate. These efforts aim to build a city where everyone can live with peace of mind and receive fair treatment.
In an interview, Deputy Mayor Cheng noted that Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen upholds the governance principle that “citizens are like family,” planning city policies based on the needs of the people—this embodies the concept of a happy city. The city government encourages healthy competition among cities to develop unique characteristics and learn from one another.
Deputy Mayor Cheng expressed gratitude to the organizers for their long-term, professional, and systematic surveys, which provide valuable references for governance across counties and cities. He also extended sincere thanks to all citizens for their recognition and support. The Taichung City Government will continue to advance municipal work with steady and pragmatic efforts, striving to build a sustainable city characterized by excellent governance and living quality.
The survey this time was conducted from March 5 to May 2, 2025. During this period, Taichung City achieved an impressive haul of eight gold and three silver awards. Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen successfully secured the Gold Award for “County and City Mayor Satisfaction” for consecutive terms. Additionally, the Taichung City Government earned gold awards in eight satisfaction categories: “Economic Development,” “Healthcare,” “Social Welfare,” “Educational Quality,” “Sense of Well-being,” “Sustainable Development,” and “Team Performance.” Taichung also received three silver awards in the categories of “Traffic Conditions,” “Tourism,” and “Arts and Culture.”