Kaohsiung,
Taiwan
Located in the southwest coast of Taiwan, Kaohsiung is
the biggest commercial harbor and the second biggest city in Taiwan
boasting a population of over 1.5 million. Mandarin and English are
spoken in this city where Buddhism is the major religion.
The container cargo Kaohsiung harbor handles ranks sixth in the world.
In the process of modernization, Kaohsiung strides into the 21st century
as a newly emerging international metropolis. Recently, Kaohsiung has
transformed from a city of traditional industries into a city of hi-tech,
high value-added and low polluting industries. Kaohsiung city government
has devoted a lot of efforts to establishing fundamental infrastructures,
such as integration of MRT with High Speed Railway and Railroad, planning
of Multi-function Commercial Park and biotech park, improving drinking
water quality, purification and beautification of river. The City is
trying to make Kaohsiung a friendly and sustainable city for living
and doing business.
Visions of Kaohsiung can be identified in the following ways:
“Maritime Capital” means to plan
and design the future developments of Kaohsiung with a marine vision.
With the endowments
of magnificent rivers, green hills and a natural port, Kaohsiung is
attempting to develop into an ocean-going city with fundamental infrastructure,
such as sea-faring industries, waterfront facilities, water sports
and tourism.
“
Friendly city” means that Kaohsiung is planning to develop into
a sustainable, environmentally friendly city. Sustainable development
of the city includes: Construction of public transportation MRT, sewage
system, e-city, etc. Environmentally friendly measures include cleaning
up the rivers, preservation of wetlands, improving the air quality,
utilization of solar energy, etc. In addition, humanitarian policies
like guide-dog program and preservation of culture and heritage are
also the focus of city development.
"
Healthy City & Athletic City" Kaohsiung City has won the right
to host the 8th World Games in 2009. While moving toward the World
Games, Kaohsiung has recently initiated a campaign to turn the city
into a healthy and athletic city. The citizens of Kaohsiung can now
be seen engaging in regular physical exercises and sports.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan city website http://w4.kcg.gov.tw/~english/