County magistrate or township chief? Ceramic artist Hsieh Tung-che is still deciding

Cochin pottery and temple sculpture master Hsieh Tung-che arrived alone at the Chiayi County Election Commission to collect a registration form for the county magistrate race. He also plans to collect a form for the head of Xingang Township, leaving open the question of which office he will ultimately seek.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Hsieh argued that Chiayi is entering a “golden decade” as the 367-hectare expansion of the county government district is scheduled for completion in 2030. He cited an urban-planning financial model estimating that the county government could receive about 42.33 hectares of land, roughly 128,000 ping, after redevelopment.

Based on current property prices around the high-speed rail station, which he put at NT$420,000 per ping, Hsieh estimated the land could generate NT$55 billion in sales. After development costs of NT$20 billion, he said the project could produce a net surplus of NT$35 billion.

Hsieh said regulations require the money to be spent specifically on public facilities within the redevelopment area. He proposed using the fund to build a 3.5-hectare international exhibition and arts center costing NT$3 billion to NT$3.5 billion. The complex would include a 600-booth column-free exhibition hall for international events involving semiconductors, drones and smart agricultural machinery, as well as a 4,000-seat professional concert hall.

He envisioned the center linking the Chiayi Science Park, TSMC’s industrial supply chain, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch and a small cultural and creative park. Hsieh said it could host more than 50 international exhibitions and performances each year and generate NT$5 billion in annual economic output. He has not yet decided whether he will pursue the countywide or township race.