Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Chiayi City Marks Record Participation at 2025 Creative Expo Taiwan, Showcasing''+1 Point'' Cultural Innovation Theme   Post Date: August 5, 2025 Cultural Affairs Bureau / Tourism and Information Department   Upholding the spirit of ''Small City, Big Innovation,'' the Chiayi City Government has been actively advancing the development of its cultural and creative industries, marking its fifth consecutive year at the Taiwan Creative Expo. On August 5, Mayor Huang Min-Hui attended the opening ceremony at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, offering encouragement to participating exhibitors and highlighting Chiayi's achievements. This year, coinciding with the city's 321st anniversary, the showcase serves as a prelude to the ''320+1 City Expo'' later this year. Under the theme '+1 point,' the city has curated four thematic sections featuring 16 outstanding brands that span literature, craftsmanship, and sustainable design, presenting a comprehensive display of Chiayi's creative strengths.   Mayor Huang emphasized that while honoring the city’s rich cultural heritage, Chiayi continues to drive innovation. Since hosting the Taiwan Design Expo in 2021 and making its debut at the Creative Expo, the city has achieved remarkable year-on-year growth. The “+1 Point, +1+1” concept reflects the collective effort and dedication of all involved, with each participation marking growth and transformation. This year also marks Chiayi’s first participation in the Pinkoi Online Marketplace and the Expo’s B2B matchmaking platform, enabling local brands to transcend exhibition boundaries and expand into domestic and global markets.   Cultural Affairs Bureau Director Hsieh Yu-Che noted that this year’s approach merges “industry connections × curatorial content × lifestyle aesthetics,” ensuring that cultural influence extends beyond exhibition halls into everyday life. Centered on the concept “Starting from the Local, Adding a Point to the City,” the four thematic zones—“Rooted +1,” “Flavors +1,” “Lives +1,” and “Recrafted +1”—bring together the largest number of participating brands to date, each telling a unique and meaningful story of Chiayi.   Master craftsman Chen Tso-Min expressed gratitude for the city government’s support in bringing traditional crafts to a wider audience. He stressed that despite the rapid rise of AI, “HI” (human intelligence) and the warmth of handmade artistry remain irreplaceable. He hopes the platform will inspire greater public appreciation for traditional skills.   The program also features talks from local and returning creative entrepreneurs, offering fresh perspectives on Chiayi and guiding visitors to rediscover the city’s vibrant and evolving character. The exhibition runs through August 11 at the “Island Flair” section, Hall K6, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, with free admission for all visitors.    

Regional Leaders Convene in Chiayi to Tackle Economic Impact of New U.S. Tariff on Taiwan   Post Date: August 3, 2025 Economic Affairs Department / Intelligence Technologies Department / Tourism and Information Department Following the U.S. government's announcement on August 1 of a 20% reciprocal tariff on Taiwanese goods, regional leaders from Central Taiwan convened an emergency virtual meeting hosted by Chiayi City on August 3. Mayor Huang Min-Hui chaired the session, which included top officials from Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Changhua County, Nantou County, and Yunlin County. The meeting focused on strategies to address the potential economic and social impacts of the new trade measures. Mayor Huang began by thanking fellow cities and counties for their support in Chiayi’s post-typhoon recovery efforts, which helped quickly restore major roads and daily life. She then addressed growing public concern over the new tariff and proposed several key measures. Mayor Huang's proposals included: Support for continued Taiwan–U.S. negotiations to reduce the tariff rate, with a particular focus on vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture.   Reinforcement of food safety standards to protect public health.   Heightened attention to the upcoming Section 232 investigation, which may significantly affect Taiwan’s semiconductor and technology industries. 　   Currency policy coordination to maintain a stable exchange rate and reduce dual pressures on businesses from both tariffs and a strengthening NT dollar. Mayor Huang also called on the Executive Yuan to swiftly introduce a “National Security Resilience Special Act and Budget” and submit it to the Legislative Yuan. She urged the government to enhance export support programs, consider freezing energy and utility prices, and issue a universal NT$10,000 cash payment to stimulate domestic demand—without income restrictions. She further warned that export pressure is already being felt in industries, with risks of order reductions and potential labor issues such as unpaid leave. She urged the central government to strengthen employment protection programs. Finally, Mayor Huang emphasized that local governments will require adequate financial support to sustain public services during this period. She called on the central government to promptly disburse general grants to support education, welfare, and infrastructure projects.        

Mayor Huang Leads Delegation on Swift Visit to Kami Town, Deepening City Friendship   Post Date: July 27, 2025 Civil Affairs Bureau / Tourism and Information Department Chiayi City continues to strengthen its international ties. On July 26, Mayor Huang Min-Hui led a delegation on a brief visit to Kami Town in Miyagi Prefecture to attend the 22nd Kami Town Dragon Boat Championship and explore educational exchange opportunities between local schools. Mayor Huang noted that ties between the two cities began last year through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan. Since then, Kami Town has participated in Chiayi’s International Band Festival and the Jhuluo Baseball Cup. This return visit further deepens cooperation in culture, education, and tourism. The trip also underscored the importance of food and agricultural education. Mayor Huang introduced Chiayi’s “Rice Field Art Festival” as a model that integrates the arts with farming. Both sides expressed interest in furthering school-to-school collaborations. During a welcome reception, Kami Town Assembly Speaker Shoichiro Ajiue—who visited Chiayi last December—noted that the “Fire-Prevention Tiger Dance” performed in Chiayi had showcased only a fragment of its full cultural impact. This time, his delegation presented the complete ritual, from the tiger’s awakening and stretching to its symbolic bestowal of blessings. He also invited the Chiayi team to return next April to witness the dramatic rooftop tiger performance in person. In addition to attending the dragon boat championship, the Chiayi delegation visited several local landmarks, including the renowned Bach Hall—dubbed a “Concert Hall in the Rice Fields”—to enjoy a majestic pipe organ performance. They also toured Yakurai Garden, a 150,000-square-meter flower park, and learned about its nighttime stargazing light show, which may offer inspiration for Chiayi’s own Light Festival. The itinerary also included a traditional “Miwa-style Kagura” performance at Yakurai Shrine, an intangible cultural asset designated by Miyagi Prefecture that blends medieval mythology with elements of Noh theater. This year marks the 321st anniversary of Chiayi’s founding. The city government is organizing a series of celebratory events under the banner of the “320+1 Chiayi City Expo,” reflecting on the city’s past and envisioning its future. Mayor Huang extended a warm invitation to Mayor Ishiyama to once again lead a delegation to experience Chiayi’s evolving charm firsthand.