Hsinchu Mayor's Order for Market Vendors to Vacate Criticized as Similar to Past Eviction

Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an has issued a formal directive requiring all retail vendors at the Zhongzheng Market to vacate their premises by the end of November. This move has drawn sharp criticism from City Councilor Liu Kang-yen, who argues the city government's action bears an 87% similarity to the previous eviction of businesses from the Jingpin City commercial complex.

Liu Kang-yen pointed out that while the initial request for vendors to leave was communicated verbally by the city's economic development department, Mayor Kao's subsequent official document has solidified the eviction. The justification provided in the government notice is a vague "overall government assessment," a reason Liu Kang-yen finds lacking in concrete details and transparency.

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The city government's handling of the Zhongzheng Market vendors' eviction process and pattern is 87% similar to how the Jingpin City operator evicted businesses three years ago.

The city councilor questioned the basis of this assessment, demanding to know where the research reports are regarding the market's spatial utilization and alignment with citizen needs, which were previously budgeted for. He also raised concerns about the process, emphasizing that while the Jingpin City eviction was carried out by a private operator, this instance involves the city government wielding its public authority. Liu Kang-yen believes the city government is disrespecting the council and disregarding the vendors' rights, especially as the overall planning draft for Zhongzheng Market remains under council deliberation.

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What is even more egregious is that Jingpin City was a private enterprise, but this time it is the city government, representing public authority, that is driving out the Zhongzheng Market vendors.