Traditionally, Chiayi County has relied heavily on agriculture. To shake off the image of being a place lacking cultural characteristics, I have, since taking office, consulted the academia and experts of various fields. We concluded that the county should be geared to a policy of putting tourism as top priority. Its strength in agriculture can be used to uphold development of tourism. Furthermore, attitude of public servants as well as directions and policies of conventional industries have to be changed, so as to establish own brand-names of agricultural products and create local specialties. The idea of knowledge economy should be instilled into the minds of residents, sales channels opened and web-pages created. Every resident should work hard towards the goal of creating a market that is both service- and consumption-oriented. All these are parts of the infrastructural work to make a better Chiayi County.

In an age of fast circulation of information, the Internet has significantly compressed time and space, creating a formidable challenge to regional division of labor. Not being able to catch up with the speed of the 21st Century means more than “falling behind.” Rather, it means being forced out of the tide of globalization. As a result, as Chiayi County constructs its future, it has to manage to make known its blueprint for the future as well.

“A policy of putting tourism as top priority” is not just a slogan. Chiayi County’s tourism industry took a giant step forward since inauguration of Alishan National Scenic Area Administration by President Chen. At end of 2003, a seaside national scenic area is going to be set up by the central government. Located in the Plains Area, the Chiayi Palace Museum is scheduled to open in 2008 with Asian period pieces displayed. In the first half of 2004, the National Palace Museum is going to hold an advanced showing in Minxiong, Chiayi County. With formation of the County Special Zone and the New Taibao Municipality following completion of the high-speed rail in 2005, we firmly believe in the bright future of Chiayi County.

I would like to invite friends from around the globe to visit our website for more information about this beautiful place. Everyone is welcomed to come and see for themselves the magnificent views of Chiayi County.