Efficiency, the quality of services, honesty and accountability are the standards by which this government will be judged. They are also the fundamental standards upheld by our City Government civil servants. Our team of young, energetic city workers is determined to make Taichung into a dream city where people can enjoy the best quality of life. Their efforts have already been recognized in the fact that the City of Taichung has been selected as the Most Livable City in Taiwan, in a poll conducted by the prestigious business magazine, Commonwealth, last summer.
Why and how is Taichung considered the most livable city of Taiwan? First, this city is blessed with a mild, beautiful climate--it seldom rains and enjoys an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, thus allowing many outdoor concerts to be held almost all year round and its label, given by the very popular English radio station, ICRT, as the Live Music Capital of Taiwan. Second, the City of Taichung is located in central Taiwan, making it extremely accessible from all corners of the island. It is, therefore, traditionally the gathering point for different activities in Taiwan, culturally, politically and commercially. This is also why Taichung enjoys a reputation of creativity and great originality, especially in the area of lifestyles. Almost all the popular fads in Taiwan's fascinating consumer culture--blending art and beauty into everyday life, such as garden cafes, garden tea houses, pearl milk (boba) ice tea restaurants--originated from Taichung city.
Recognizing Taichung's enormous potential for the future, I was able to gain the support of Taichung's great citizens by pointing out that Taichung is destined to be a great cultural city, with the long-term goal of becoming a city of "Culture, Prosperity and International Attraction". Towards this ultimate goal, we have made serious efforts to bring the Guggenheim Museum to Taichung to build its first Asian branch, which was to be designed and constructed by 2004 Pritzker Award winner Zaha Hadid, the first-ever female architect to win this highest honor in the field of architecture. We are also the first Asian city to pass Guggenheim Foundation's Feasibility Studies. Although in the end, due to complicated reasons, the project did not materialize, we feel that we have gained a lot of valuable experience working with world-famous architects and curators. The city is now working on a substitute plan to build a city museum with heavy international participation. Other grand cultural establishments under construction include a National Opera House and the first Amphitheatre in Taiwan and Asia, towards the goal of offering city residents and visitors a vivid, diversified cultural life.
On the other hand, at the threshold of the ever growing "e" century, we at the Taichung city government are also making every effort to provide the public with detailed and complete information through the Internet. Now that you are here with us, I would like to extend a big hearty welcome from Taichung. Just take a leisurely browse, check us out, and I promise you that you will fall in love with this beautiful sunshine city.
