The Things Underscored by Han Kuo-yu Economics

 The Things Underscored by Han Kuo-yu Economics

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

March 31, 2019

 Translation of an Excerpt

Kaohsiung City Mayor Han Kuo-yu has completed a full three months in office; he successively visited Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland, having signed export orders worth a total of NT$7.21 billion, setting an unprecedented best record for a local government chief, showing significance at several important levels: first, he connected with the man-in-the-street, turning over the social status of grassroots farmers and fishermen, allowing society to emphasize their contributions and welfare. Second, he quickly stabilized the marketing and prices of farm and orchard produce as well as aquaculture products in the south, allowing the public to discover that the vicious circle for prices of farm and orchard produce was a problem with a solution. Third, he created a heat wave for going to Kaohsiung to study business opportunities and investment commitments by investors, from both Taiwan and abroad, creating optimistic expectations and desire for consumption on the part of Kaohsiung citizens, raising hopes to create a benign cycle of hiked consumption and income. Fourth, every single move of Taiwan has become the focus of attention of global Chinese communities; numerous overseas Chinese and people on the Mainland all become a helping hand for Taiwan's economy. As long as “we do the right thing,” we will get immediate assistance. Finally, under benign cross-Strait relations, we may rely on the Mainland market to establish a mechanism for Taiwan's agriculture in times of disequilibrium between production and sales.

Since Han Kuo-yu was elected mayor, his “pro-business” attitude has also won the support of enterprises at home and abroad, and visitors to Kaohsiung studying investment opportunities have never stopped. Not only E United Group, but also Far Eastern, Foxconn and others have indicated one after another their willingness to expand their investments; conglomerates in Hong Kong and Singapore have also come to study. Residents of Kaohsiung and neighboring counties and cities expect good prospects from Kaohsiung; housing sales are booming with real estate prices being elevated. Thus the public feel that they are better off than before, naturally increasing their consumption, producing a benign circle as a result. In addition, tourism to Kaohsiung has risen, making operators in Kaohsiung feel that their business is on the up-swing.

Overseas Chinese communities across the globe have traditionally maintained close ties with Taiwan, when they witness Mayor Han Kuo-yu striving so hard for Kaohsiung, they naturally want to help him within their capacities. The overseas Chinese economy in Southeast Asia is especially strong and booming; they could all the more lend a helping hand to Kaohsiung's development. In addition, overseas Chinese mostly hope that China will sooner or later be reunified and become strong; Mayor Han Kuo-yu identifies with the "1992 Consensus," making them more than willing to assist him and making the "Han Kuo-yu vogue" reach far and wide.

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