Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Mayor Huang Throws First Pitch as CTBC Brothers and Wei Chuan Dragons Clash in Chiayi, the Home of Taiwan Baseball Post Date: July 14 Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department Mayor Huang Min-hui threw out the ceremonial first pitch on July 14 as the CTBC Brothers took on the Wei Chuan Dragons at KANO Baseball Stadium in Chiayi City, marking the Brothers' first game in Chiayi as the home team. The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) 2026 regular season continues to bring top-level professional baseball to Chiayi, widely regarded as the birthplace of baseball in Taiwan. Before the game, Mayor Huang joined Vice Chairman Kao Ying-chieh of CTBC Sports Entertainment as ceremonial guests, highlighting the partnership between the Chiayi City Government and professional baseball teams in promoting the sport in Taiwan and carrying forward the enduring KANO spirit of never giving up. Mayor Huang said Chiayi is one of the key birthplaces of baseball in Taiwan, with a deep-rooted baseball culture and history. The spirit of KANO remains an important part of the city's collective memory and shared values. In recent years, the city government has actively worked to bring CPBL regular-season games to Chiayi, including games featuring both first- and second-division teams. This year marks the CTBC Brothers' first appearance in Chiayi as the home team and their return to the city after nine years. Mayor Huang thanked fans for filling the stadium and demonstrating the passion of Taiwan's baseball hometown, as well as the team for its recognition of Chiayi's baseball environment. She welcomed fans from across Taiwan to visit KANO Baseball Stadium and experience the energy and spirit of baseball in its hometown. She also expressed hope that players would deliver their best performances in Chiayi. Looking ahead, the city government will continue promoting professional baseball, youth development, and sporting events to establish Chiayi as a baseball city where history, culture, and sports come together. Department of Education Director Kuo Tien-tsai noted that Vice Chairman Kao Ying-chieh is a Chiayi native who received his early baseball training in the city. From his career as a player and coach to his leadership in professional baseball management, Kao has made significant contributions to developing young baseball talent and advancing professional baseball in Taiwan. The CTBC Brothers' debut in Chiayi as the home team not only brings exciting professional baseball to local fans but also reflects the city's ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with the CPBL and its teams, promote the continuity of baseball culture, and strengthen youth baseball development so that the KANO spirit can continue to shine in its hometown. Vice Chairman Kao said Chiayi is a cradle of baseball that has nurtured generations of talented players. He himself grew up and developed through the city's youth baseball system, progressing through Taiwan's three-tier youth baseball system from little league to senior youth competition. Thanking the fans for their enthusiastic support, he expressed hope that the team could return to Chiayi more often in the future and give more fans the chance to experience the excitement and intensity of professional baseball. The Chiayi City Government welcomes baseball fans from across Taiwan to KANO Baseball Stadium to cheer for their favorite teams and experience the passion of professional baseball. The city will continue integrating sports, education, and urban culture to strengthen grassroots baseball development and build Chiayi into a baseball city defined by its history, cultural heritage, and sporting spirit — further establishing its identity as the Home of Taiwan Baseball.  

Mayor Huang Honored for Longstanding Support of Arts Education at God of Wealth Cup Awards Post Date: July 15 Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department Mayor Huang Min-hui attended the awards ceremony for the 12th God of Wealth Cup Chiayi County and City Elementary and Junior High School Music and Folk Arts Competition on July 15, where she presented certificates to winning schools and was unexpectedly honored with a special "Mayor's Perfect Attendance Award." Presented by Chiayi City's Wencai Temple, the award recognizes Mayor Huang's uninterrupted attendance throughout her tenure as mayor, reflecting her longstanding commitment to arts education, traditional cultural heritage, and youth development. Mayor Huang congratulated the participating students, noting that every outstanding performance is built upon years of dedication and practice. This year's competition featured a wide range of categories, including traditional Chinese music, Western music, percussion, dance, street dance, and folk arts. Through creativity and technical excellence, students blended tradition with innovation and Eastern and Western influences, demonstrating the richness and diversity of Taiwan's cultural heritage. She described the event as not only a competition but also a vibrant celebration of youth, culture, and artistic expression in Chiayi. Mayor Huang also emphasized that while technology continues to advance rapidly, strong humanistic values remain essential to ensuring innovation benefits society. For this reason, the Chiayi City Government has consistently invested in arts education and cultural development. She thanked Wencai Temple for its long-term support of arts education through generous scholarships and transportation subsidies, enabling students to participate regardless of financial circumstances and encouraging equal access to learning and performance opportunities. According to Wu Hsien-yu, Chairperson of Wencai Temple, this year's competition showcased an impressive variety of performances. Student ensembles presented both classical and contemporary works in traditional Chinese and Western music, while percussion groups delivered powerful taiko and drum performances. Dance and folk arts categories featured modern dance, flag martial arts performances, street dance, lion dance, dragon dance, and diabolo, with students creatively reinterpreting traditional arts. The temple hopes to use its role as a community and cultural institution to promote arts and culture, enriching lives through artistic education while preserving Taiwan's cultural heritage. This year's competition brought together more than 100 teams and nearly 1,000 students from elementary and junior high schools across Chiayi City and Chiayi County. Organized into nine competition divisions, the event highlighted a diverse range of artistic disciplines, with performances ranging from traditional and Western music to percussion, dance, street dance, and folk arts, showcasing the vitality and creativity of arts education in local schools.  

Chiayi City Brings Science to Life at Annual Science 168 Expo, Showcasing a Decade of Science Education Excellence Post Date: July 8 Department of Education / Tourism and Information Department The 22nd Science 168 Education Expo, Chiayi City's flagship annual science education event, will take place from July 17 to 21 at Xingjia Elementary School and Minsheng Junior High School. Announcing the event at a press conference on July 8, Mayor Huang Min-hui invited families to make the most of the summer vacation by exploring science together through hands-on activities, interactive experiences, and discovery-based learning that inspire scientific literacy and innovative thinking. Mayor Huang reflected on the evolution of Science 168 from a summer science program into one of central and southern Taiwan's leading science education events and a signature educational brand for Chiayi City. She said the expo has long embodied her vision of integrating science education with city governance, enabling children to develop future-ready skills through exploration, creativity, and practical learning. The city's achievements in science education have also been recognized nationally, earning second place in the county and city group category at both the 63rd and 64th National Primary and Secondary School Science Fair, before claiming first place at the 65th edition. Mayor Huang also noted that many parents look for meaningful summer activities that combine learning with fun. Drawing on her own experience as a parent, she said Science 168 has become not only a platform for children to discover science but also an opportunity for families to learn and grow together. She encouraged parents to join their children at the expo and create memorable summer experiences through shared exploration. According to Department of Education Director Kuo Tien-tsai, this year's expo has been expanded around six major themes and 14 featured programs, offering a comprehensive science learning experience covering scientific inquiry, digital technology, hands-on exploration, and family learning. The event features 44 interactive challenge stations and 116 science workshops, alongside immersive attractions including a flight simulator, lightbox transformation show, mobile planetarium, and digital interactive cabin, allowing children to learn science through seeing, touching, and doing. The opening press conference featured a joint performance by the Minzu Elementary School street dance club and robots, demonstrating the integration of technology and the arts. Eight schools and organizations set up exhibition booths showcasing science education achievements through experiments, interactive games, and real-world science applications. The event concluded with Mayor Huang and distinguished guests launching a magnetic levitation display, symbolizing Chiayi City's commitment to building a sustainable future through science under the theme "Science for Sustainability, Better Together in Chiayi." To make the expo more accessible, free shuttle buses will operate throughout the event from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with four departures every hour between Chiayi Cultural and Creative Industries Park, the Xinmin Road side gate of Chuiyang Elementary School, and Minsheng Junior High School. On weekends, shuttle services will be extended until 8:00 p.m. to coincide with the Stargazing Cinema program. The Chiayi City Government warmly invites visitors from across Taiwan to join the Science 168 Education Expo from July 17 to 21 and experience the excitement of science and the power of education through exploration and discovery. More information is available on the Chiayi City Science 168 Education Expo Facebook page.