Independent Chang Chun urges balanced development in Hualien's fierce mayoral race

In this year’s local elections in Taiwan, the race for the Hualien County magisterial seat has become a focal point for various political parties and independent candidates seeking local support. Hualien County is renowned for its abundant natural resources and ethnic diversity, yet it has long grappled with challenges such as population outflow, uneven economic development, and inadequate infrastructure. During the campaign, candidates must not only present their personal platforms but also convince voters that they can deliver tangible improvements to the county’s remote townships. This electoral contest also serves as a microcosm of the functioning of local autonomy and multi-party participation in Taiwan’s political system.

Non-partisan candidate Zhang Jun emphasized the concept of a “partnership” during the campaign, promising that if elected, he would establish close cooperation with the 13 townships and cities within Hualien County. Zhang noted that the development gap between urban and rural areas is primarily reflected in disparities in public services, infrastructure, and employment opportunities. By forging these partnerships, he plans to implement a “Joint Development Program” to extend municipal resources to remote regions, such as by strengthening agricultural technology, promoting local tourism, and improving roads and public transportation. This strategy aims not only to narrow the intra-county development gap but also aligns with the central government’s policy direction of “balanced development.”

Kuomintang (KMT) candidate You Shu-zhen focused on transportation and tourism development along the East Coast. The East Coast has long seen its tourism resources constrained by narrow roads and inconvenient transportation. You proposed a series of specific measures, including the construction of new highway segments, the expansion of existing national highways, the establishment of tourist bus routes, and the creation of an “East Coast Cultural Tourism Belt.” This initiative would integrate indigenous culture, natural ecology, and coastal scenery to attract both domestic and international visitors. She also stressed that improved transportation accessibility would boost local small businesses and employment, thereby further alleviating population outflow.

On social issues, non-partisan candidate Wei Jia-xian focused on the handling of gender equality cases. Although the Gender Equality Act has been in effect in Taiwan for several years, practical implementation still faces issues such as inconvenient reporting mechanisms and prolonged case processing times. Wei stated that if elected, he would optimize the reporting mechanism for gender equality cases, simplify the filing process, and enhance coordination between local judicial institutions and social organizations to ensure that victims can quickly receive assistance and fair adjudication. This move would not only increase public trust in the local government but also meet Taiwan society’s expectations for gender equality and human rights protection.

Overall, the platforms of the three candidates highlight different priorities: Zhang Jun’s “partnership” focuses on the internal redistribution of resources, You Shu-zhen centers on infrastructure and tourism, and Wei Jia-xian emphasizes social justice and institutional improvement. If the three were to cooperate after the election, they could potentially form a comprehensive development strategy spanning from infrastructure to social welfare. However, the actual effectiveness will depend on whether the candidates can coordinate with various townships, municipal governments, and central agencies post-election to translate slogans into concrete policies. For voters, this election is not merely an evaluation of individual platforms, but a choice regarding the future development direction of Hualien. (Facts source: Central News Agency)