TT: You were not interested in running for the Kaohsiung City mayor post at first but later decided to join the race after KMT officials persuaded you to run. What made you change your mind?
Huang Jun-ying (黃俊英): I don't deny that their persuasive efforts played a crucial role in my decision. On the other hand, I was born in Kaohsiung City and have worked and lived here for a long time. I have deep feelings for this city, and they run deeper and deeper as I grow older. Over the past few years, I have witnessed Kaohsiung's decline. Kaohsiung used to be the locomotive of Taiwan's economic development, but now it is losing its economic status. It worries me very much to see this happening. As cities in other parts of Taiwan, such as Tainan, Taichung, Hsinchu and Taipei, and cities in China and Southeast Asia are developing quickly, Kaohsiung will be marginalized if it doesn't catch up.
My four-year service as deputy mayor of Kaohsiung brought me into direct contact with the city's administration. Also, with my expertise in economics and management, I have a comprehensive understanding of Kaohsiung's urban problems. And so when my friends encouraged me to join the election, it created a sense of mission and motivated me to do something for Kaohsiung.
Originally, I did not plan to run for mayor. But the timing made me feel that my candidacy would be beneficial to the development of Kaohsiung.
Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) administration may have merits when it comes to preserving the city's cultural heritage, but the economy is the shortcoming of Hsieh's stewardship. What Kaohsiung really needs is basic industrial development. Hsieh has not worked out any measures to help traditional industries. I'm an expert in marketing and economics, and I know many people from these fields; so I feel that I can do something for Kaohsiung.
TT: What policies would you try to implement to improve Kaohsiung's economy after getting elected?
Huang: Over the long run, Kaohsiung must make the most of its advantages in order to boost its economy. Kaohsiung has a harbor, an international airport and an excellent industrial foundation. It has a lot of land for development and many scenic spots. It has always been an important industrial metropolis with many advantages.
One of my economic policies is to work for direct air and shipping links between Kaohsiung and major cities in China. By cooperating with the central government and providing adequate incentives, I'll actively develop Kaohsiung into a free port facilitating the free flow of talent, capital, technology and goods. Kaohsiung is already a gateway for trade and a logistics center, but I can turn Kaohsiung into a business operational hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
But the opening of direct transport links is not something to be decided by Kaohsiung, because it involves amendments of related laws. Still, we must make the effort to achieve this goal.
TT: As we all know, the authority over the opening of direct transport links with China is in the hand of the central government, not a local government. If you are elected, how are you going to lobby the central government to lift the ban on direct transport links?
Huang: The relationship between the central and local governments is not like the way it was in the past. While the central and local governments were like father and son, they are partners now. For the sake of urban development, we must fight for our rights. We must unite representatives from Kaohsiung and those from other localities in southern Taiwan. All the people's representatives across party lines from around the country should work together to promote this goal. Kaohsiung City will not be the only locality to benefit from direct transport, as neighboring localities and Taiwan's economy will benefit as well.
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