Central Taiwan Regional Governance Platform Launched 竹市加入共8縣市 中台灣治理平台今啟動

Taichung City officially launched The Central Taiwan Regional Governance Platform on Feb. 16. The heads of cities and counties gathered in Taichung, and Hsinchu City also joined this year, becoming the eighth participant. Hsinchu City Mayor Ann Kao also attended. The outside world is watching what kind of political effects it will have.

Eight county and city leaders from Central Taiwan appeared together at the Taichung City Hall, announcing the official launch of the Central Taiwan Regional Governance Platform.

“Eight bodies cooperate for stronger unity.”The Central Taiwan Regional Governance Platform originally only had four counties and cities: Taichung, Changhwa, Nantou, and Miaoli. After Lu Shiow-yen took office, she successively invited Hsinchu County, Yunlin County, and Chiayi City to join. This year, Hsinchu City and Chiayi County were also invited. However, Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang declined, while Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao joined.

Lu Shiow-yen, Taichung Mayor: “We have eight counties and cities cooperating. Only when local public opinion is voiced collectively, can it be valued by the central government and answer our needs.”

Lu said that the eight counties and cities have formed an alliance with each other, and Central Taiwan will become a force that cannot be underestimated. It will combine the industrial foundations of each county and city, hoping to achieve cooperation, mutual support, and share experiences. The Central Taiwan Regional Governance Platform is made up of KMT leaders, but also includes Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-ching, an independent, and Kao from the TPP.

Chung Tung-ching, Miaoli County Magistrate: “We are from different parties, but we are all alike. We all want to create a happy life for our constituents.”

Ann Kao, Hsinchu City Mayor: “I didn't ask Mayor Lu whether this is the KMT or DPP's platform. I just simply asked her what kind of functions such a platform can achieve.”

Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke also publicly stated in the meeting that he hoped that Mayor Lu can continue to develop northward. Lu emphasized that her focus is on doing the job in front of her. The scale of the platform led by Taichung City has gradually grown, which has also unexpectedly led to opportunities for cooperation between opposition factions. All walks of life are watching to see what kind of political effects it will have in the future. 


 

來自中台灣的8位縣市首長，同框出現在台中市府，套上棒球手套擺出投球姿勢，宣告中台灣區域治理平台正式啟動。中台灣區域治理平台，原本只有納入中彰投苗4個縣市，在盧秀燕上任之後，陸續邀請新竹縣、雲林縣和嘉義市加入，成為7縣市，今年再擴大邀請新竹市和嘉義縣。嘉義縣長翁章梁婉拒，而新竹市長高虹安點頭加入。

台中市長盧秀燕認為：「（8縣市）合作，這樣的話地方民意集體發聲，才能被(中央)重視，中央也才會正視我們的需求。」

盧秀燕表示，8個縣市相互結盟，中台灣將成為不可小覷的力量，將結合各縣市的產業基礎，希望達到縣市合作、相互支援和經驗共享。而中台灣區域治理平台中，除了藍營縣市長，還包含無黨籍的苗栗縣長鍾東錦、和民眾黨的新竹市長高虹安，倍受外界矚目。

苗栗縣長鍾東錦表示：「我想，我們有些不同黨，但是我們都同派，都是一起要為我們的鄉親打造幸福快樂的那一派。」

新竹市長高虹安則說：「我完全沒問到秀燕市長說，請問這是國民黨還是民進黨的，沒有，我只是單純問她說，這樣的平台可以達到什麼樣的功用。」

新竹縣長楊文科，還在會中公開表示，希望台中市長盧秀燕可以繼續往北發展，盧秀燕還是強調重點在做好現在的工作。而由台中市主導的平台規模漸漸壯大，也意外促成在野力量的合作機會，後續會有怎樣的政治效應，各界都在看。