Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai's Approval Rating Hits 83.5%, TSMC Project Tops Satisfaction

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai enjoys a strong 83.5% approval rating among citizens after six years leading the city, according to a recent survey by the Cross-Strait Exchange Elite Association. The poll indicates widespread satisfaction with his performance, transcending party lines.

Among the mayor's initiatives, attracting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to build a plant in Kaohsiung received the highest marks, with an 86.3% satisfaction rate. Other key projects also garnered significant public support, including the completion of the city's light rail system (78.9% satisfaction) and the promotion of the "concert economy" (75.8% satisfaction).

The survey highlights the success of Chen's administration in driving Kaohsiung's transformation through industrial upgrades and urban tourism. Beyond attracting major industries like TSMC, the city has seen success with its "concert economy" and infrastructure projects like the light rail. New attractions, such as a renovated golf course park and a large indoor-outdoor children's playground, also received high approval ratings.

Economically, Kaohsiung has shown positive growth under Chen's leadership. The city's unemployment rate was the lowest among six major Taiwanese cities in 2025 at 3.2%. Furthermore, average and median disposable household incomes saw the highest growth in Taiwan during the same period, increasing by 18% and 14% respectively compared to when Chen took office. Increases in accommodation revenue and catering revenue also ranked first among the six major cities, indicating a vibrant economic turnaround.