Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu profiled among top 10 mayors in 'Monocle'

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

Taichung city's efforts to promote itself to the world have once again earned positive results. The July-August edition of the British magazine "Monocle" has listed Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu as one of 2010's ten freshest movers-and-shakers in urban politics worldwide. This article not only publicized Taichung on a global scale but also reaffirmed the good work and success of Mayor Hu and his leadership.

Three years ago, Taichung earned first place in the Culture & the Arts Category of the World Leadership Awards in London. Mayor Hu was invited to give speeches at various locations around the world after receiving this award and introduced the progress and advances in Taichung. This year, with the city's inclusion on Monocle's list, Taichung is sure to become even better-known in the international community.

The British publication provides a global perspective on international affairs, business, culture and design and is headquartered in London, while also having offices in Tokyo, Sydney, Zurich and New York. Its award-winning team consists of editors and correspondents from The New York Times, The Independent on Sunday, the BBC, CBC and a host of other news and current affairs outlets. As the name "Monocle" implies, the magazine aims to focus on unique perspectives that bring readers a more in-depth look at global events.

In the magazine's July-August, 2010 edition, the article "Civic Slicers--Global" listed 10 of the freshest movers and shakers in urban politics around the world. Noted mayors include Mayor Jason Hu of Taichung, Taiwan; Mayor Takashi Kawamura of Nagoya, Japan; Mayor Motti Sasson of Holon, Israel; Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, Texas; Mayor Sten Nordin of Stockholm, Sweden; Mayor Fatima Elatik of Oost, the Netherlands; Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallard of Madrid, Spain; Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, Arizona; Mayor Alejandro Char of Barranquilla, Colombia; and Mayor Lisa Scaffidi of Perth, Australia. Monocle commented on the successes and challenges of each mayor and noted that Mayor Hu's greatest success was the 60% crime-rate drop in Taichung since he was sworn into office in 2001, with his greatest challenge being increasing local development, because a large percentage of his supporters are asking for him to run in the next presidential elections.

Undoubtedly, being honored for his efforts to improve local security has left Mayor Hu with mixed feelings. The Taiwanese "Global View" magazine has also conducted an analysis on the competitive edges of local governments and noted that Taichung's most noticeable success was its improvements in local security. Thus, the mayor's most important challenge at the moment will be overseeing the resolution of an on-going, high-profile mobster murder case while maintaining the spirit of the police force and positive local security improvements.

These forms of public recognition are the result of hard work. However, as Mayor Hu once remarked, "For the future of the city and the city administration, I will give it all I've got." This is the attitude of a truly accomplished political leader.