Five to six thousand people took part in the flag-rising ceremony for 2013 Double Tenth National Day at the square in front of New Taichung City Hall located on Taiwan Boulevard at 7:00, October 10. Many people flocked to take pictures with Mayor Jason Hu and he called for people to unite and work hard together to make Taiwan economy prosperous. Then, every participant shouted with Mayor Jason Hu "Happy Birthday to the Republic! Taichung be happy and progressive!"

The flag-rising ceremony was conducted with a series of activities: Students of Wenhua Senior High School (文華高中) held the flag, welcomed the flag, and then raised the flag to the pole; Zhenkun Dragon (振坤金龍隊) of Dali District Rende Community Development Association performed dragon dance; Taichung Model Airplane Remote Control Club (臺中市遙控飛行科技發展協會) flew model airplanes across the sky; Super Brothers (永舞止勁舞團) performed Hip-pop; Taichung Xitun District Sports Association (臺中市西屯區體育會) and Taichung South District Sports Association (臺中市南區體育會) showed their dancing skills. All the programs were so lively and exciting that people gave them warm applause.

Mayor Hu said, "We have a sunny day with beautiful blue skies today. Participants in today’s National Day flag-rising ceremony in Taichung are more than twice the number in previous years. It is a proof that people of Taichung highly recognize and support our own country! We all hope to make Taiwan more progressive and more prosperous and we have a better life. For these aims, the government must work together with all walks of life. Strict supervision is important but economic growth is even more important!"

Mayor Hu also said that National Day is a national rejoicing day; everyone wants a country that makes progress every day; everyone has the opportunity to express his/her views; and everyone must be loyal to the country, which is the "minimum common denominator”. “We must love Taiwan, our country," urged Mayor Hu.

“Some people described Taiwan's economy as ‘boring’, but I never allow that to happen in Taichung! According to the recent statistics published by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics of Executive Yuan, our GNP in Taichung city rises by more than NT$900 billion in the past five years, a 45% growth, ranking first among the five special municipalities! This is a fruit of solidarity and efforts contributed by every citizen,” said Mayor Hu, "The more solidarity we achieve, the greater progress Taichung will make! Our employment rates have been improving. Unemployment rate is only 4% in Taichung, much lower than the national jobless rate. We have also attracted many multinational companies to set up their shops and factories in Taichung. We vow to make Taichung more harmonious and more progressive!”

Citing Taichung Sun Cake as an example, Mayor Hu pointed out that the industry made a sale turnover of NT$30 million 10 years ago but NT$ 1.1 billion a year now, a 33-fold growth. Mayor Hu also said that the more people participating in the National Day celebration, the more hopeful Taichung is. He then led all the participants in the National Day flag-raising ceremony to chant “Happy Birthday, ROC!" and "Happiness and progress to Taichung!”

Attending in the flag-raising ceremony were people from all walks of life and representatives from Taichung City Government, City Council, administrative districts, and schools. Also present was Taichung City New Immigrants Association with its members from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries. It showed multiethnic and multi-cultural integration in Taichung.

As an organizer, the Social Affairs Bureau gave participants beautiful flag stickers, small flags, and National Day promotional products until the stocks ran out. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Taichung Labor University, the Labor Affairs Bureau also held an achievements exhibition and offered career education advisory services at the atrium of Huizhong Building from 9:00 to 17:00.