Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Chiayi City Claims 9 Gold Awards in National Governance Survey as Happiness Rating Secures Third Consecutive Gold Post Date: May 13 Tourism and Information Department Results of the nationwide governance satisfaction survey titled "Dedicated Governance, Felt by the People", organized by the China Times, were released today (May 13). Among 13 governance categories evaluated, Chiayi City received 9 gold and 3 silver awards, leading all non-special municipalities in gold awards and ranking second nationally in overall gold award count, behind only Taipei City. The category measuring overall governance performance, "Mayor Satisfaction," earned a gold award for the fourth consecutive year, with approval ratings surpassing 80 percent and ranking first among non-special municipalities. Chiayi City also received gold awards in categories including "Happiness" and "Team Performance." In the newly added "Age-Friendly City" category, the city also secured a gold award, reflecting strong public recognition of the city government's governance quality. Mayor Huang Min-hui thanked citizens for "making history together and striving toward the future as one," sharing the honor collectively. She noted that Chiayi City faced major challenges over the past year, including severe damage caused by Typhoon Danas, shifting global tariff conditions, and price fluctuations caused by ongoing conflicts. Despite these difficulties, she emphasized that "headwinds are never a reason to stop, but rather the starting point for building a more resilient city." She thanked residents and city government staff for standing united through repeated challenges and achieving the city's 9 gold and 3 silver awards together. The results, she said, demonstrate that when governance is carried out with dedication, citizens truly feel the difference. Public trust remains the city government's strongest support and most valuable asset in governance. Reflecting on Chiayi City's past achievements, Mayor Huang stated that "happiness is not built on miracles, but through steady effort over time." She pointed out that the city's award performance has continued to improve year after year. The "Happiness" category, which reflects residents' perceptions of their quality of life, once ranked near the bottom nationally. Since taking office again in late 2018, the city government has worked steadily to fulfill every commitment and deliver visible improvements for residents. This year marks the third consecutive year that Chiayi City has received a gold award in happiness satisfaction. The newly introduced "Team Performance" category in 2025 also maintained gold-level recognition, while the mayor's governance satisfaction rating earned its fourth consecutive gold award, surpassing 80 percent approval and ranking first among non-special municipalities. The city government will continue striving to sustain high standards while reaching even greater heights, further strengthening citizens' pride and sense of happiness. This year, Chiayi City received 9 gold and 3 silver awards overall. "Healthcare and Public Health" earned a gold award for the eighth consecutive year, while "Education Quality" secured its seventh straight gold award and "Arts and Culture" its sixth consecutive gold award. "Environmental Protection" and "Tourism" also received gold awards for the third straight year. The newly introduced "Age-Friendly City" category likewise earned gold recognition, highlighting Chiayi City's comprehensive governance capabilities across all age groups and areas of urban development. Among the 13 categories evaluated, only "Traffic Conditions" fell short of receiving either a gold or silver award. Mayor Huang noted that public concern over traffic conditions reflects the rapid growth in transportation demand driven by Chiayi City's economic development, cultural and tourism upgrades, and steadily increasing visitor numbers in recent years. Annual passenger volume at both Chiayi TRA Station and Chiayi HSR Station has now exceeded 14 million trips, demonstrating growing demand for public transportation services among residents and visitors alike. To address transportation needs, the city government has actively developed a tiered public transportation system and expanded urban accessibility. Bus ridership has increased more than eightfold over the past eight years, while public satisfaction with YouBike has consistently remained at 98 percent. At the same time, in response to parking demand, the number of parking spaces citywide has increased by 3.12 times since 2019. While the city government continues working to improve transportation conditions, Mayor Huang stressed that "transportation infrastructure is not solely a local responsibility — it also requires support from the central government." Mayor Huang further pointed out that Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications completed a feasibility study for a light rail connection to Chiayi High Speed Rail Station as early as 1999. She emphasized that the project is critical not only to the development of the greater Chiayi region, but also to enhancing the international tourism appeal of Alishan National Scenic Area and Taiwan overall. Among Taiwan's High Speed Rail stations, six are directly integrated with Taiwan Railways services, three are connected through branch rail lines, and one is linked by airport MRT service. Chiayi High Speed Rail Station remains the only station without a rail transit connection to its urban center, making the issue a critical challenge and lifeline for Chiayi's future development. Mayor Huang expressed hope that the central government will recognize the urgency of Chiayi's transportation needs and no longer overlook regional development. She called for prompt action to advance rail transit connections to Chiayi High Speed Rail Station and provide the resources Chiayi City deserves to establish a more comprehensive and convenient transportation network that can drive balanced regional development across greater Chiayi. She added that Chiayi City will continue embracing the spirit of "Small City, Big Innovation," working hand in hand with citizens to create history and build the future together, ensuring that every effort in governance becomes part of residents' everyday happiness.  

Chiayi City Expands “Bike to Chiayi” Cycling Event with New Twin Lakes Routes and CookieRun Collaboration Post Date: May 17 Tourism and Information Department To promote low-carbon lifestyles, healthy living, and the growing popularity of recreational sports, the Chiayi City Government will host the "Bike to Chiayi" 2026 Chiayi City Cycling Experience Event on the morning of June 13 at Lantan Lake. This year's event specially collaborates with the widely popular IP CookieRun and Chiayi City's local polar bear mascot Da Bai Xiong to create a cycling festival that combines fun, sports, and urban tourism. Mayor Huang Min-hui invited people from across Taiwan to ride into Chiayi and experience the city's unique charm. Mayor Huang noted that the "Bike to Chiayi" event has now entered its fourth year and continues to receive enthusiastic support from residents and cycling enthusiasts alike. She said sports are part of Chiayi City's "urban DNA," and expressed hope that the event will further encourage public participation in sports while allowing participants to connect with nature and experience the beauty of Chiayi City through cycling. The event also aims to showcase the city's scenic landscapes to visitors from around Taiwan. Director Cheng Ya-wen of the Tourism and Information Department explained that this year's event has been expanded to enhance both the riding experience and overall challenge level. In addition to the original single route around Lantan Lake, a new cycling route around Renyitan Lake has been added. Two participation categories — a "Leisure Ride" and a "Challenge Ride" — have also been introduced to accommodate different fitness levels and riding preferences. Whether families with children, casual riders, or dedicated cycling enthusiasts, participants can choose the route that best suits them while enjoying the natural scenery and cycling atmosphere of Chiayi. Director Cheng added that the event venue will feature a variety of interactive experiences alongside the cycling activities, including themed photo booths, DIY workshops, specialty food trucks, and a limited-time CookieRun pop-up store. Through diverse and engaging event programming, the city hopes to encourage visitors to stay longer while creating a lively festival atmosphere that blends entertainment with social media appeal. The event is also designed to attract greater participation from families and younger generations, turning "Chiayi City Cycling Day" into an accessible and enjoyable sports celebration for all. The Tourism and Information Department stated that, to further connect the event with local urban life, this year's program will collaborate with Chiayi City's "Trendy Select Shops" for promotional activities. Participating local businesses will serve as lifestyle destinations throughout the city, accompanied by check-in and prize giveaway campaigns that encourage visitors to explore Chiayi City's unique shops and attractions. By partnering with local commercial districts, the city aims to strengthen its image as a youthful, diverse, and lifestyle-oriented destination while also boosting local commerce and tourism. The event will additionally feature prize giveaways totaling NT$40,000 in value, and the public is warmly encouraged to participate. Participants who complete the cycling routes will also receive commemorative finisher gifts, including a multifunctional bicycle triangle bag, bicycle bell, reflective strap, sports towel, and other practical souvenirs with collectible appeal. The Chiayi City Government sincerely invites people from across Taiwan to join the event on June 13 and experience Chiayi City's cultural charm and natural scenery in a healthy and enjoyable way. Online registration for "Bike to Chiayi" is now open at https://www.ctrun.com.tw/Activity?EventMain_ID=328. Spaces are limited — the public is encouraged to register early.  

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.