Kaohsiung -- Gateway to Asia Opening Up to the World

KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN--(Marketwired - Apr 28, 2014) - After its 2010 merger with Kaohsiung County, the port city of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan now boasts a massive stretch of hinterland blessed with abundant natural resources. But there's more. Home to both an airport and seaport, Kaohsiung pledges to make a new gateway for Asia.

By balancing urban and rural development and enhancing international competitiveness, the Kaohsiung City Government vows to turn the city into Taiwan's new economic showcase. In the highlight will be Asian New Bay Area, an ambitious project centering on renovation of the Port of Kaohsiung and its vicinity. With priority given to ecology, economy, living, creativity and an international outlook, it will join forces with citizens to make real a brave new future for Kaohsiung -- a city of happiness.

For Kaohsiung, 2014 promises to be a milestone year for going global. While the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center already became operational, a number of momentous projects in Asian New Bay Area are slated to be completed this year and next. These include the Kaohsiung Public Library, Kaohsiung Port Terminal, and Kaohsiung Maritime Cultural and Popular Music Center as well as a waterfront light rail system. As Asian New Bay Area gradually takes shape, Kaohsiung is set to emerge as a new paradigm of excellence in the international arena.

In former years, Kaohsiung was perceived as a city of heavy industry and high pollution as well as a cultural wasteland. To rid these labels, the City Government has worked hard to improve the city's living environment and set aside substantial funds for infrastructure projects, including building a mass rapid transit system, improving the sewer system and cityscape, and adding parks and other green spaces. The objective is to raise the city's living standards and give citizens more quality havens where they can rest and relax. Breaking away from the stereotyped image of being an industrial city, Kaohsiung pledges to make a city of happiness that people consider most suitable for living.

In a similar vein, Kaohsiung is proactive to assist the film industry in making movies, organize a variety of tourism events, and promote digital audio-visual and other cultural/creative ventures. Two recent highlights are the city's invitation for top local pop band Mayday to serve as Global Ambassadors of Kaohsiung and its introduction of the world's largest rubber duck created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. All these endeavors are intended to help push Kaohsiung onto the world stage. The ultimate goal is to make Kaohsiung vibrant and appealing -- a city that people love to call their home.