Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) yesterday made a farewell speech at Tainan City Hall as he prepared to take up his new post as premier, announcing that Tainan City Government Secretary-General Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) would serve as acting mayor for the next year.
The operations of the city government would continue as usual under the leadership of Li, Lai said in his final report at city hall.
Lai said he would be able to serve more people when he takes up his new post as premier and that his love for Tainan would never change.
Photo: Chiu Hao-tang, Taipei Times
“I am forever indebted to Tainan residents for their support,” Lai said.
He said he was able to make great achievements in the southern city, with the support of his administrative team and residents, which earned him the recognition and trust of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).
The city government’s achievements over the past few years include the implementation of effective financial management, flood control measures and transportation infrastructure projects, Lai said.
About 80,000 jobs had been created and the unemployment rate dropped from 4.2 percent to 3.9 percent, while the population increased by 10,000, he said.
The city government has been promoting tourism to the region in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and China, and more than 20 million tourists visited Tainan last year, he said.
The premier-designate, who is heading to Taipei to take up his new post, was applauded by city government employees and Tainan residents, who gathered at city hall to hear his final address as mayor.
Lai and his administrative team bowed to residents and thanked them for their support during the seven years he served as mayor.
On Tuesday, Lai was named as the replacement for Premier Lin Chuan (林全), who tendered his resignation the previous day.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS