Cross-party leaders sign Greater Chiayi integration platform for policy synergy

On the eve of the 2024 local elections, Chang Chih-kai, the People’s Party candidate for Chiayi City Mayor, and Wu Pin-rui, the non-partisan candidate for Chiayi County Magistrate, jointly signed a memorandum of understanding for the “Greater Chiayi Integrated Communication Platform” at the Chiayi City Government Center. Operating under the slogan “Double the Good, Shared Benefits,” the two candidates aim to refocus political attention on policy effectiveness, thereby fostering a cross-regional, co-creative Chiayi living sphere. This move not only symbolizes their intent to cooperate across party lines and administrative boundaries but also serves as a substantive response to the long-standing divisions and frictions between Chiayi City and Chiayi County in local governance and developmental coordination.

Chang has over a decade of experience in Chiayi City’s municipal affairs, having previously served as a city councilor and held key positions within the People’s Party. He advocates for digital governance and sustainable development as core pillars, emphasizing the upgrading of urban infrastructure and the creation of employment opportunities for youth. Wu, running as an independent, has held various administrative roles at multiple levels within Chiayi County. His platform focuses on agricultural innovation and tourism integration, with a commitment to improving the county’s infrastructure and public services. Despite their differing party backgrounds, both candidates prioritize “policy first” as their main electoral appeal, and the signing of the memorandum serves as concrete proof of implementing this philosophy into action.

The core of the “Greater Chiayi Integrated Communication Platform” is the establishment of a cross-regional mechanism for information sharing and decision-making coordination, covering various public affairs such as transportation, tourism, agriculture, and disaster response. The platform is expected to be built upon a digital database, enabling real-time synchronization of information regarding budgets, project progress, and public opinion polls between the city and county governments. It will also establish cross-departmental working groups to collaboratively plan major infrastructure projects and regional development blueprints. This initiative aims to break the historical pattern of the city and county governments operating independently, thereby reducing duplicate investments, enhancing resource allocation efficiency, and providing residents with more convenient online administrative services.

Chiayi City and Chiayi County exhibit significant differences in their economic structures and social characteristics. The city is primarily urbanized and driven by the tourism industry, serving as a key transportation hub between Kaohsiung and Taichung. In contrast, the county is dominated by agriculture, forestry, and mountain tourism.