In honor of Kaohsiung’s centenary, the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) recently published a reflection on the city’s dynamic growth and emergence as a prosperous hub in southern Taiwan, expressing hope for its continued success into the next century.
Kaohsiung is unique in Taiwan, encompassing mountains, rivers, airports and ports, as well as MRT and high-speed rail systems, all within its city limits. Over the past few years, the central government has invested considerable resources in the city’s development. Despite concerns about rising housing prices, there is still widespread agreement that Kaohsiung is an increasingly attractive proposition.
In April 2018, during then-president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration, the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) was established in Kaohsiung — the first government ministry to be set up in the southern region. Situated near the Port of Kaohsiung, the council symbolizes the government’s commitment to investment in marine-related initiatives.
However, since then, the region has not attracted any additional Cabinet-level agencies. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), established in 2022, was envisioned as a science and technology-driven, innovative agency with no specific restrictions for its office location. However, a report by the National Audit Office showed that MODA’s preparatory task force had intentionally limited its base to Taipei.
That said, we should shift our focus to future development. Creation of a ministry for sports was a key campaign promise of President William Lai (賴清德). It is expected to be officially established next year with a projected budget of NT$20 billion (US$626.9 million) by 2027.
In the wake of Taiwan’s achievements at the Paris Olympics, there has been considerable discussion regarding the new ministry, but its exact location remains unclear.
Kaohsiung is spacious with convenient transportation, and is already home to the National Sports Training Center and the Taiwan Institute of Sports Science, both on Shiyun Boulevard in Zuoying District (左營). A new ministry of sports in the same area would be highly significant, and the establishment of a second government ministry in the southern region would be a notable achievement for the Lai administration.
Today’s advanced communications technology would ensure effective coordination with other central government agencies, similar to what the OAC has achieved.
Furthermore, the Sports Administration on Zhulun Street in Taipei could be repurposed for MODA, which is still seeking a permanent office in the capital. This solution kills two birds with one stone, and saves public funds.
Lo Cheng-chung is a professor and director of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology’s Institute of Financial and Economic Law.
Translated by Nicole Wong
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