It was the first time that Taichung hosted the Double Tenth celebration highlighted by a variety show held on October 9th. Overseas compatriots Chinese, local residents and friends from abroad shared the occasion. The program is lively and the performance is outstanding. In the address of the national day, President Tsai mentioned that the Double Tenth Variety Show is not only the event for marketing Taichung but also for the marketing of Mayor Lin Chia-Lung. Taichung has performed well in different policy areas and could be famed as a “model student”. The 2018 Floral Expo and 2019 East Asian Game will be held in Taichung. This is the manifestation of the pride and confidence of Taiwan.

The evening show titled “Together in 2017, We will be Better, A Carnival Night for All” was held at the stadium of National Taiwan Sport University on October 9th at 7:00 pm. The glamorous Chinese Taipei Cheerleading Team warmed up the event, followed by the energetic show of I-WANT Star and others. The majestic drum solo presented by Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe of Taichung pronounced the beginning of the show.

President Tsai, Director-General of the national day celebration preparatory committee Su Jia-Chyuan, Premier Lai Ching-Te, Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-Lung, Director-General of the Overseas Community Affairs Council Wu Hsin-Hsing, Minister of Cultural Affairs Cheng Li-Chiun, National Defense Minister Feng Shih-Kuan were among the guests of the event. Thousands of compatriots living abroad overseas Chinese returned to Taiwan for the event. Some 600 military personnel, including Commander of the 10th Corps Command General Mo You-Ming and other captains, representatives of the armed forces and military police, were present to share the joy of the event. People from all walks of social lives were also attracted to the event that made it a success.

Taiwan has made improvement in this year, said President Tsai. The hosting of the 2017 Summer Universiade Taipei is a solid proof that Taiwan is able to organize large international games. The performance of the athletes in this game was outstanding that world records in many events have been created. This really was historic. Taichung will host the 2018 Floral Expo, which is a world attraction, and also the 2019 East Asian Youth Game. Under the leadership of Mayor Lin, President Tsai believed that Taiwan could present her friendliness and beauty to the world. Taiwan could advance to the world arena in relay and could show her pride and confidence.

According to President Tsai, economic recovery has been accomplished last year with the rebound of a number of economic indicators. The government will be the starter and salary raise also activated in the private sector. These are the signs of a positive economic cycle. In addition, the government is advocating transitional justice, and reform of annuity and taxation to make the long-term care system more reasonable and fair. Frontier infrastructure has picked up its momentum too.

The Double Tenth evening show of this year was not just the occasion for promoting Taichung but also for the promotion of Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-Lung, said President Tsai. The effort of Mayor Lin was deeply appreciated. With the effort of all in Taichung City Government, policies have been properly pursued. Mayor Lin could be famed as a “model student”. Economic growth has been achieved on a daily basis in Taiwan. We could see a better Taiwan in the future.

The password now is “Together in 2017, We will be Better”, said Mayor Lin, the host of the event. Taiwan will be better with the overseas compatriots and business persons of Taiwan from all over the world and the people of Taiwan.

The Double Tenth celebration hosted in Taichung this year featured 3 ways of innovations. First of all, this was the first time that celebration of this kind was relocated from Taipei to Taichung with the thankful support from the Overseas Community Affairs Council and Legislative Yuan Speaker Su. This helped to made people all over Taiwan to feel the joy of national day celebration and allowed the compatriots to witness the improvement and development of Taiwan, said Mayor Lin.

Secondly, both the overseas compatriots and the people could share the joy together. The ticket for admission to the show was sold out under a second, which implied that the overseas compatriots were warmly welcomed by the people. Thirdly, the program for the celebration of this year was different from past with innovative and vivid colors so that the whole world can feel the energetic thrust of Taiwan.

Mayor Lin wore the pin of the Floral Expo with an attempt to promote the 2018 Taichung Floral Expo. All over the world are invited to the expo.

Director-General of the Double Tenth Celebration Preparatory Committee Su Chia-Chyuan mentioned that he specially chose Taichung as the location for the event this year because he is a native of Taichung with domicile registered in Feng Yuan. He further spelled out “3 absolute promises”. First of all, the program of this year will absolutely be splendid, including the float parade in the flag-raising ceremony on the morning of October 10th. It was coupled with the national day celebration firework show in Taitung, not Taipei, so that people all over Taiwan can share the joy.

Premier Lai Ching-Te mentioned that Taiwan has accomplished her reform to a certain extent and paved the way for the next stage of development. His immediate tasks will be working hard on economic development, raise the salaries of public servants therefore propelling private sectors, advocacy of taxation equality, removal of barrier to investment, adjustment of the new weekend holiday system, materialization of the frontier infrastructure program and the 5 + 2 industrial innovation program after assuming office as the Premier. Under the leadership of President Tsai, economic improvement has been achieved as shown by the indicators. Taiwan will be better with concerted efforts.

Director-General of Overseas Community Affairs Council Wu Hsin-Hsing expressed his gratitude to Mayor Lin for his support so that the event could be unfolded successfully. Overseas compatriots from 65 countries have returned for the occasion. Some came from countries afar, including South Africa and Nigeria, and Paraguay in South America. There were almost 6,000 compatriots returned from overseas, which was a record high in many years.

According to the Cultural Bureau of Taichung, real-time interactive and VR technologies were introduced to the show this time so that the audiences could upload the footage to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram labeled with “Together 2017, We will be better”. “Better Taiwan”, “2018 Taichung Floral Expo” and related keywords and they could connect LED screen on the scene and showed their photographs for interaction with other viewers.