TPP candidate presents flowers to Ko Chih-en, saying global experience can guide Kaohsiung’s next step

Lin Yu-kai, a Kaohsiung city council candidate from the Taiwan People’s Party, brought flowers to Kuomintang mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en at the election commission, adding fresh momentum to a possible pan-blue and white alliance in Kaohsiung.

Lin said Ko’s experience of traveling around the world had given her a clearer sense of where Kaohsiung should go next. He expressed hope that she would use that international perspective to think about the city’s development, bring lessons from global cities back to the port metropolis, and lead Kaohsiung forward.

Lin pointed to the city’s transformation since Chen Chi-mai, then acting mayor, promoted the opening of Kaohsiung Port’s barriers in 2005. Continued port-area opening and waterfront construction gradually shaped the harbor city that exists today. With projects connected to Kaohsiung’s port rail line continuing to develop, Lin said the next stage should focus on how to manage and build the city as a whole.

He argued that Kaohsiung cannot rely on only two economic images: spectacular concert events and a semiconductor industry standing alone. Concerts can bring short-term crowds, while semiconductors have strengthened Kaohsiung’s position as a technology center. But Lin said the city needs a more diverse, resilient industrial structure and more employment opportunities. Services, tourism and traditional industries should use artificial intelligence and digital technology to improve efficiency and added value, he said.

For Kaohsiung’s next phase of port-city development, Lin said the priority is to turn existing public infrastructure, harbor spaces, technology gains and industrial foundations into lasting momentum for city services and industrial growth.