New竹 County Magistrate Accused of Fabricating Meetings Abroad; Government Releases Details of Portuguese Talks

New竹 County Magistrate Yang Wen-ko's 14-day trip to Brazil and Portugal has drawn sharp criticism, with opposition parties accusing the county government of fabricating a "Lisbon South Bay City Government" that does not exist. In response, the county government released further details and photos of meetings held on August 20th with representatives from Portuguese cities and businesses.

“

The South Bank region's cities historically focused on traditional industries but now face challenges like industrial transformation, population outflow, and housing demand, which are similar to the transformation issues in Hsinchu County's traditional industrial clusters.

The meetings focused on urban governance, industrial transformation, renewable energy, and international investment, aiming to identify opportunities for future local and industrial cooperation between Taiwan and Portugal. According to the county government, the delegation met with Barreiro City Deputy Mayor Rui Braga, Sines City representatives, and UrHome Portugal CEO Bobby O’Reilly.

Magistrate Yang stated that some cities in Portugal's South Bank region, which historically relied on traditional industries, are now facing challenges such as industrial transformation, population outflow, and housing demands. He noted these issues are similar to the transformation challenges faced by Hsinchu County's traditional industrial clusters. Yang also highlighted Portugal's significant achievements in promoting renewable energy, emphasizing Hsinchu County's high demand for stable and secure energy supply due to its semiconductor and high-tech industry development. He suggested both sides could learn from each other to explore urban models that balance industrial development with sustainable governance.

“

Portugal's achievements in promoting renewable energy are significant, and Hsinchu County has a high demand for stable and secure energy supply due to its semiconductor and high-tech industry development. Both sides can learn from each other to explore urban models that balance industrial development with sustainable governance.

The county government team shared their governance experiences amidst rapid technological industry development, including efforts in promoting AI smart parks, biomedical parks, Taiwan Knowledge Park, and the third phase of the Hsinchu Science Park. Chen Ying-chou, Director of the County Government's Industrial Development Department, specifically noted the value of learning from Portugal's experience in transforming traditional industrial zones. He explained that urban transformation involves not just rezoning industrial land but also comprehensively adjusting living spaces, public services, talent, and the industrial environment. This, he said, offers significant reference for Hsinchu County's current considerations for the areas surrounding the AI smart park and the future transformation of traditional industrial clusters in Zhudong, Guanxi, and Hengshan.

“

Urban transformation is not just about rezoning industrial land but also involves the overall adjustment of living spaces, public services, talent, and the industrial environment. This offers high reference value for Hsinchu County's current considerations for the areas surrounding the AI smart park and the future transformation of traditional industrial clusters.