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Chen vows to make Kaohsiung greener

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊), who celebrated the first anniversary of her inauguration yesterday, vowed to turn the industrial city into an eco-friendly city.

"In June next year, we will begin construction to turn the city's railways into an underground system. After the work is completed, we will develop a `green corridor' along the original railroads. This is expected to help the city outshine Taipei," Chen said in her anniversary address.

`BLUE WATERWAY'

Chen also said the city plans to develop a 22km "blue waterway" connecting the city's Love River, Canal No. 2, Kaohsiung Harbor and Cianjhen River.

The city plans to reach the goal by renovating Canal No. 2 from Hedong Road to Minzu Road, she said.

The city will also begin the construction of a 23.7-hectare tropical botanical garden next year, she said.

A new wetland corridor consisting of the Coast of Yuanjhonggang (援中港), Banping Lake Wetland Park (半屏湖濕地公園), the Chouchai Wetland (洲仔濕地) and the flood storage pond of Benhe Village (本和) will show off the city's subtropical characteristics, she said.

Chen also set a goal to better the life of Kaohsiung residents next year by improving the city's public transportation system.

"The Red Line of the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit system will begin operation early next year, followed by the operation of the Orange Line by the end of next year. With 20 more shuttle bus routes and an additional 220 buses, Kaohsiung residents should be more willing to take advantage of public transportation," she said.

Chen said she believed she had established a "substantial political style" over the past year by honestly facing the low public support she enjoyed because of her health and an annulment lawsuit filed by her Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rival Huang Chun-ying (黃俊英).

The Kaohsiung branch of the Taiwan High Court ruled on Nov. 16 in Chen's favor.

The ruling was final.

SAFETY FIRST

Chen yesterday said it was also part of her style to prioritize safety over the need for the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit system to begin operation by the end of this year although she had been warned by many people that the delayed operation could impact the Democratic Progressive Party's performance in the next year's elections.
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