Taiwanrocks!

Although globalisation can impose radical changes upon a city, it must develop at a pace that is in-line with the demand of development. This will contribute to allowing the citizens to maintain their way of life as well as allow for the natural improvement of the industrial, economic, and transportation sectors. Just as the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century focused on developing the metropolis, Kaohsiung has also experienced a similar focus by improving the public transportation system, hence providing the opportunity for citizens to live further away from the city center given the added convenience of commuting each day. Furthermore, improvements in technology, such as the cellular phone and Internet, have changed the way people communicate. An ideal city in the 21st century would be one that achieves harmony between the environment and industrial development, remembering that both are vital for a desirable living environment.

A citizen’s happiness and peace-of-mind can be enhanced by knowing that they are safe and secure within their job. Therefore, striving for a low unemployment rate within a city is a worthy goal. Adding to this happiness is the ability to utilize the environment that’s available when not at work. In order to bring this dream into fruition, a solid and reliable transportation system is necessary. However, this is not just a dream as the process of achieving this goal is in rapid progress. In just a couple of decades, Kaohsiung has been transformed from an undeveloped fishing village into a thriving industrial city, with the future intention of continuing to develop the natural aspects of the city, especially the rivers. S.H.E. (safe, healthy, ecological) is the concept behind the development plans for the future of the city.

The concept of “a S.H.E. city” took into account the safety and health values of the people, whilst also considering the protection of nature (ecological). This concept aims at developing a city which allows for the harmonious existence of humans (of all cultures and religions) and nature.

The need to feel safe is an essential quality for human survival. With this in mind, amongst the most pressing goals are to develop whatever preventative measures possible against natural disasters, so as to maintain public order.

Maintaining public order within a city is a key point in developing trust between the citizens and the government. Beyond the police force, the municipal office carries out numerous projects to maintain the safety and security of the citizens.; including “citizens caring for public areas”, “assisting police in conducting public affairs”, “reporting incidents through MSN”, “checking on residents”, “registered permanent address investigation project”.

More specifically, the work of the municipal office in ensuring the safety of the citizens involves the running of routine safety drills for emergency situations such as typhoons and earthquakes. Furthermore, routine health examinations of public places are conducted and systems for identifying hazardous work environments are implemented. The goals of the Foundation of Public Health and the emergency medical network are to improve the safety of the living environment so as to promote wellbeing, and avoid suffering.

A healthy city means a place where residents can live in peace and safety. 

A healthy city is more than just creating gymnasiums for people to exercise. An environment with clean air and water serves to decrease the pressure on the mind and body.

Exercise results in a healthy body and mind. This concept will be encouraged throughout Taiwan as international sporting events will be held on the island up until the 2009 World Games.

The World Games includes up to thirty different sports including power lifting, bowling, skating, tchouk, dragon boat racing, rock climbing, tug-of-war, and rhythmic gymnastics. The plan to encourage health and fitness in Kaohsiung will continue to happen as a gradual process, of which it began with the hosting of the 2005 World Pool Championships in July, 2005.

The 2005 World Pool Championship was won by a Kaohsiung local, Wu Chia Chin, who was also the youngest boy in the competition. His victory has served to popularise the sport in Kaohsiung. Another popular sport in Taiwan is baseball which, unfortunately, was recently removed from the Olympic list of sports. Therefore, Mayor Chen Chi Mai has issued a statement to allow baseball and softball to be played in the 2009 Kaohsiung World Games.

A push to transform certain cement-surfaced areas into wetland regions has led to an increase in native flora and fauna and has offered people a nice contrast to the busy concrete metropolis.

Kaohsiung has changed dramatically in its terrain and infrastructure throughout the last decade of development. So much so that the current generation are seeking a healthier alternative and the answer lies in striking a balance between sustainable operation and urban development.This balance would ideally result in a city that is surrounded by greenery, allowing people a place to rest and take in the fresh air.

As the gifted harbor has a coastline of 12km, a wide hinterland and well-developed transportation networks, prosperous industrial and commercial activities are supported. It was already listed as early as 1953 as the focus of industrial and economic development and construction by the government. A huge labor population was thus attracted to live here, which led to the formation of the current industrial and commercial harbor.

Industrialization was the beginning of the transformation of Kaohsiung City, as well as the indelible mark in the course of Kaohsiung City’s development. The steel industry (headed by China Steel Corporation), the petrochemical industry (led by Chinese Petroleum Corporation), the ship building industry (dominated by the unique CSBC Corporation, Taiwan), the cement industry (which has the largest production in Taiwan), and the two export processing zones in Kaohsiung and NanTse have all together made Kaohsiung the city with the highest productivity in the country, as well as a prosperous industrial and commercial city. 

At present, the industry of Kaohsiung City is transforming into a precision industry featuring high technology, automation, high added value and low pollution. Other than enjoying prosperous industrial and commercial development, Kaohsiung City is also No.1 in the pelagic fishing of the country and plays an important role in the world’s pelagic fishery industry.

Powered fishing vessels have a tonnage of over 620,000, which accounts for 66.63% of the total tonnage of the fishing vessels in Taiwan. The annual catch reaches over 681,000 tons, which accounts for 54.24% of the total productivity of Taiwan. The pelagic fishing boats already sail worldwide in the three major oceans and there are 63 pelagic bases. The fish sold in foreign bases amounts to 230,000 tons, valued at over NTD8.9 billion. At present, 5 countries have signed Fisheries Agreements with our country and there are 20 countries participating in non-governmental fisheries cooperation.

Being conveniently located by the ocean gives a city a distinct advantage in the international shipping industry. By capitalising on this geographical advantage, famous coastal cities such as Rotterdam, San Francisco, Hamburg, and Vancouver have become home to a number of the world’s most significant international shipping routes, and therefore have a major effect on world trading. Possibly enhanced by their superb location, these cities share other common characteristics such as a vibrant culture, a colourful history, spectacular sights, and renowned landmarks.

Kaohsiung City shares the same advantages as those of its fellow coastal cities. A prime location by the ocean means that Kaohsiung City is the only city representing Taiwan on the world’s international shipping routes. Compared to the other harbour cities within the Asian-Pacific region, Kaohsiung is more closely located in distance to other international ports. With such an ideal location, it’s no wonder the Dutch came to occupy the island during the 17th century, and then the Japanese during the “Japanese Colonisation Era”.

As the economy of the city began to boom during the 1970s, the cargo shipped into the harbour began to increase. In terms of the gross volume of cargo that was shipped in, Kaohsiung was ranked 3rd in the world. Although it is now facing stiff competition from developing harbour cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai, Kaohsiung Harbour still maintains an annual growth of 8-10% (volume of cargo shipped in), which proves the strong position of Kaohsiung Harbour in the Asian-Pacific region.

With a shift towards globalisation during the 21st century, there’s been an increase in the number of factories moving to Asia. Not only does this potentially improve the economic situation of the Asian-Pacific region, but it has led to a new way of doing business This “new way of doing business” revolves around the concept of a city serring as a central area for a number of countries, rather than the more traditional approach of a city solely serring the country it’s located in. Kaohsiung is taking advantage of this widening of the boundaries and is being developed as the central location in the Asian-Pacific region for shipping and trade.

Under such a thriving competitive environment, the citizens of Kaohsiung must work together to enhance the future of the city. 

By the end of 1980, globalisation was in full-flight. Kaohsiung City took full advantage of this era by both utilising the available Western technology and capitalising on the city’s warm local atmosphere in order to further develop its shipping industry. Furthermore, the concept of globalisation of the city whilst maintaining its traditional elements was established.

Courtesy of the media, Taiwan took to the exciting atmosphere associated with globalisation like the younger generation takes to the hype associated with Taiwanese pop culture. Electronic industries in Hsin Chu and the Tainan Science Park were developed, and they helped to put Taiwan on the “international trading map”. Images of well-known franchises such as McDonalds, famous clothing brands, and international pop music became common place across the island.

Globalisation has also forced the people of Kaohsiung to take a good look at their city’s image in order to identify what it actually stands for. Globalisation has brought with it a sense of urgency amongst the people to rapidly develop the city so that it remains competitive with the capital, Taipei.

Back as early as the 17th century, the inhabitants of Kaohsiung were taking full advantage of the city’s fine geographical location by exporting rice and sugar. The harbour was then further developed during the Japanese Colonial Era under a concept known as “marching to the south”, which entailed focusing on the southern region for trade. Furthermore, it served as a vital port in supplying rations to the Japanese during both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Throughout its history, Kaohsiung City has been developed into an international port city under the rule and control of various nationalities. Despite its exposure to diverse foreign culture, the city has successfully maintained its maritime charm.