Consumption Contest
In a bid to boost the city’s local economy, Taipei City government is considering plans to offer an extra NT$400 NT dollars to anyone who spends their NT$3,600 government consumption vouchers in the central Taiwanese city. While neighboring Taichung County also began contemplating the idea, local leaders are yet to provide details of how to finance the outlay.
Political leaders in Taichung City are looking at ways of snatching a bigger piece of the spending pie for their city by offering an extra NT$400 to people who spend their consumption vouchers in Taichung.
Ho Ming-chen
Taichung City Councilor
We want to turn Taichung City into a consumer city enterprise, said city councilor Ho Ming-chen.
Taichung County officials are also looking at adopting the plan for their county too. But not to be outdone, Taichung City officials weren’t finished, calling on businesses to give them back their advantage.
Jason Hu
Taichung City Mayor
If businesses work with us, it could be even better, said Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu. The city government will offer NT$400 per person and if businesses can offer another NT$400, Taichung will be taking money off of people all over Taiwan.
Taichung officials are yet to provide any details as to how they plan to fund the handout.
In Chiayi County meanwhile, county councilors passed a motion in favor of the DPP’s suggestion to hand out NT$3,800 in cash rather than the NT$3,600 vouchers. Chiayi councilors reasoned that vouchers would only prove inconvenient for residents in remote areas to collect and spend.
Wannian Festival Cuisine
The Wannian Festival being held in Kaohsiung's Zuoying comes to an end this weekend but visitors to the festival over its last two days will have plenty of local cuisine to try. Many of southern Taiwan's old-time favorite snacks and delicacies await those who wander along to Zuoying this weekend.
Deep-fried tofu is just one of the snacks on offer.
Oyster pancakes are another trademark of the old restaurants and stands that line these streets.
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They are crispy on the outside and full of moisture on the inside, said this visitor.
With the arrival of the cold weather, wonton soup that has been sold here for 44 years, is a great way to warm up.
Beef noodles are another local delicacy not to be missed.
This starfruit juice store has plenty of long-serving customers who swear the taste hasn’t changed a bit in the past 30 years.
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The starfruit taste is very strong, said this customer. It’s stronger than other places.
The Wannian Festival comes to an end in Kaohsiung’s Zuoying this weekend, leaving just a few more days to sample all of the old-time delicacies this part of Taiwan has to offer.
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