Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Chiayi City Celebrates Nursing Workforce Strength and Healthcare Innovation on International Nurses Day Post Date: May 08 Department of Health / Tourism and Information Department The Chiayi City Nurses Association held its International Nurses Day celebration on Thursday at the Luke International Conference Hall of Chiayi Christian Hospital, where approximately 300 nurses and healthcare professionals gathered to celebrate the dedication and achievements of frontline nursing staff. Mayor Huang Min-hui attended the event and expressed appreciation to what she described as the city's "angels in white," while presenting awards to outstanding nursing professionals recognized for their contributions to healthcare services and public health. Mayor Huang noted that although Chiayi City is relatively small, it continues to demonstrate one of Taiwan's strongest nursing capacities. The city currently has 3,999 practicing nurses, with 145.82 nurses per 10,000 residents — the highest ratio nationwide and significantly above the national average of 82.11. She added that more than half of patients receiving care in the city come from outside Chiayi, highlighting the city's important role within Taiwan's regional healthcare network. Mayor Huang thanked nursing professionals for their long-standing dedication and professionalism, which have helped Chiayi City achieve strong results in national healthcare and public health evaluations. She said the city's healthcare achievements are built upon the commitment of medical teams working tirelessly behind the scenes, while experienced senior nurses continue passing on their expertise to younger generations and strengthening the profession's long-term development. Department of Health Director Liao Yu-wei stated that through collaboration between the city government and local hospitals, Chiayi City has actively secured central government funding to support nurse-to-patient staffing improvements, night-shift incentives, and the development of nurse-friendly workplaces. As of December 2025, total subsidies had reached approximately NT$180 million. Compared with the previous year, the number of practicing nurses employed at hospitals increased by 88, representing a 3.02 percent rise. He added that the city government will continue supporting nursing professionals while promoting patient safety and sustainable healthcare services. Chiayi Christian Hospital Superintendent Chen Wei described nurses as a cornerstone of the healthcare system, emphasizing that both emergency treatment and community-based care depend on the dedication and resilience of frontline nursing staff. He also thanked the city government for promoting nurse-friendly workplace policies and smart healthcare initiatives aimed at reducing workloads and improving care quality through technology and institutional support. Chiayi City Nurses Association Chair Lin Ci-en said nurses play a vital role in comforting patients with compassion while protecting lives through professionalism and perseverance. She also called on society to provide greater recognition, support, and respect for healthcare workers. According to the Department of Health, this year's ceremony honored 33 outstanding nurses recognized for compassionate care, 112 nurses who have served continuously for more than 15 years, 10 nursing professionals pursuing further education — including undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs — and four recipients recognized for innovative healthcare research and development. The event also featured a traditional candlelighting ceremony symbolizing the passing down of nursing values and the ongoing commitment to safeguarding public health. Among the award recipients, four nurses were recognized for innovative projects developed alongside their clinical duties. Liao Jie-wen received first place in nursing innovation for developing "AI Intestinal Care Assistant," integrating artificial intelligence into patient care while reducing labor and material costs. Other award-winning projects included a rapid identification system for high-risk psychiatric patients, a laryngoscope light-testing device for emergency airway procedures, and a real-time patient movement-tracking system aimed at improving inpatient safety and care efficiency. These innovations demonstrate how frontline clinical observations can be transformed into practical healthcare solutions, further strengthening the sustainability and advancement of Taiwan's medical system.  

Chiayi Arts Festival Opens with Pikmin Bloom Collaboration, Turning the City into an Interactive Cultural Playground   Post Date: May 1, 2026 Cultural Affairs Bureau / Tourism and Information Department The 2026 Chiayi Arts Festival officially opened on May 1 at Chiayi Park, marking the start of Chiayi City’s annual cultural celebration. Through markets, walking tours, exhibitions, and interactive programs, the festival connects cultural venues and public spaces across the city, showcasing Chiayi’s vibrant artistic energy and everyday aesthetics. Chiayi City Deputy Mayor Chen Yung-feng visited the festival’s Pikmin Bloom booth on opening day and interacted with visitors. Through the cross-sector collaboration, the digital game experience is integrated with Chiayi’s urban art spaces, encouraging residents and travelers alike to explore the city on foot while discovering its history, architecture, and cultural character. Deputy Mayor Chen noted that Chiayi City’s compact layout and rich historical atmosphere make it especially suited for walking tours and urban exploration. In recent years, many traditional wooden houses tucked within the city’s alleyways have been revitalized into cafés, design shops, and creative spaces, adding new cultural energy to the city. He invited visitors from across Taiwan to experience both the arts festival and Pikmin Bloom throughout May, with exhibitions and performances taking place at venues including Chiayi Art Museum, Chiayi City Museum, and Chiayi Literary Museum. A key highlight of this year’s festival is the “Pikmin Bloom Mini Walk,” a themed exploration experience combining gameplay with local culture. Eight special locations have been designated throughout Chiayi City, where users can interact through the app to collect exclusive Decor Pikmin golden seedlings and specially designed postcards, as well as additional rewards for completing location challenges at each site. The activity encourages participants to engage with the city while discovering its cultural landscape through exploration and play. During the event period, official Pikmin Bloom booths will also distribute physical walking maps and Pikmin paper sun visors at designated locations and times, including May 1–3 at the KANO area of Chiayi Park and May 30–31 at Chiayi Cultural Park. The Cultural Affairs Bureau invited visitors to experience Chiayi through art, music, and performance woven into the city’s daily landscape. Throughout May, weekday programs will focus on exhibitions and quieter cultural experiences, while weekends will feature larger-scale interactive events and urban activities designed to create a more comfortable and engaging festival atmosphere. The city government also encouraged Pikmin Bloom players to make use of Chiayi City’s convenient public transportation system. With an extensive YouBike network and free city bus transfers when using electronic ticketing cards, visitors can easily explore the city in a sustainable and relaxed way. Additionally, YouBike bicycles have also been deployed during the festival period to accommodate increased visitor traffic. For more information about the festival and activities: Chiayi Arts Festival x Pikmin Bloom Event Page Chiayi City Cultural Affairs Bureau Facebook Page  

Chiayi City Advances New Policy Agenda Centered on Economic Growth and Sustainability Post Date: April 28 Planning Department / Tourism and Information Department Chiayi City Mayor Huang Min-hui delivered a policy report to the Chiayi City Council on April 28, outlining a development agenda centered on economic growth, social innovation, and environmental sustainability. Amid global tariff shifts and the impact of Typhoon Danas, Huang emphasized the city’s resilience, noting that progress has been sustained without incurring new debt or delaying public infrastructure. To stimulate the local economy, the city has introduced a NT$6,000 per-capita cash payout program alongside targeted industry support measures. Chiayi City recorded NT$307.1 billion in business sales in 2025, marking seven consecutive years of growth. Despite nationwide tax shortfalls, the city achieved NT$11.3 billion in tax revenue, standing out as the only jurisdiction in the region with positive growth. Tourism also reached record levels, with more than 2.17 million overnight stays and continued expansion in hospitality revenue. Maintaining long-term fiscal discipline, Chiayi City has remained debt-free for 16 consecutive years. To reinforce economic momentum, the city has launched night market vouchers and accommodation subsidies, attracting over 120,000 applicants and boosting off-season tourism. These measures aim to drive both consumer spending and industry development. Urban development remains a central focus. The “Cultural Silk Road 2.0” initiative integrates transportation, green spaces, and cultural districts to enhance connectivity and revitalization. Land development projects such as Jianguo Second Village and Fuxing New Village have delivered strong investment outcomes, while public-led urban renewal efforts continue to attract private participation. In transportation, the city is advancing railway elevation plans and a comprehensive road network strategy. Mayor Huang reiterated the need for central government support, particularly for the long-promised light rail connection to the High-Speed Rail Chiayi Station, which is expected to strengthen regional integration and economic growth. Public infrastructure projects, including the Chiayi City Civic Center and General Library Park, are progressing steadily, while historic sites are being revitalized through integration with cultural and creative industries. In education, the city continues to expand teacher support and digital learning, and will implement a universal free school lunch program for all elementary and junior high school students starting in the 2026 academic year. The city has also established a Department of Labor and Youth Development to support employment, entrepreneurship, and youth engagement. Expanded childcare services and public health programs further strengthen support across all age groups. In terms of sustainability, Chiayi City leads non-special municipalities in drainage infrastructure coverage and continues to expand flood mitigation capacity. Public parks are being upgraded to provide inclusive, multi-generational spaces that integrate smart management and environmental design. Cultural initiatives and international engagement continue to elevate the city’s profile. Major events such as the Chiayi International Band Festival and large-scale exhibitions have attracted significant participation and generated economic value, while international exchanges have strengthened the city’s global connections. Mayor Huang concluded by thanking citizens for their continued support, noting that Chiayi City ranked first nationwide in public satisfaction with local governance for two consecutive years. She emphasized that steady progress is built through sustained effort, reaffirming the city’s commitment to a resilient, livable, and forward-looking future.