Chiu Chien-fu Announces Independent Bid for Changhua County Magistrate, Chants 'Changhua Fu'

Central News Agency, reporter Wu Che-hao, Changhua, June 16

Former Changhua City Mayor Chiu Chien-fu held a press conference today to officially announce his independent candidacy for Changhua County Magistrate. Chiu stated that his campaign platform is 'Changhua Fu,' aiming to build a more abundant, prosperous, and happier Changhua, and pledged to lead Changhua's development through concrete policies and execution capabilities.

The Changhua County Magistrate election will be held at the end of the year, with the Kuomintang nominating lawyer Wei Ping-cheng and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nominating incumbent legislator Chen Su-yueh. Chiu lost the DPP's primary election and subsequently submitted his resignation from the party, officially announcing his independent candidacy today.

Chiu emphasized that his campaign is not intended to influence other candidates' electoral prospects or split votes, but is solely focused on winning. 'I don't fight battles I can't win,' he declared.

Chiu stated that his campaign centers on 'Changhua Fu,' a vision to transform Changhua into a richer, more prosperous, and happier county. He highlighted that he is the only candidate with full experience as both an elected representative and an administrative leader, and will use policy and execution to guide Changhua into its next phase of development.

Chiu pointed out that Changhua's biggest challenge is the lack of large-scale technology industries, which has limited wage growth. To reverse Changhua's economic trajectory, he stressed the need to create an investment environment attractive to high-tech industries.

Water, he said, is the key to industrial development. He advocates for the construction of a seawater desalination plant capable of producing 100,000 tons of water per day, proactively addressing future industrial demands and fundamentally resolving Changhua's long-standing water supply bottlenecks.

Chiu stated that completing the desalination plant would not only enhance water resilience but also attract critical infrastructure for semiconductor and AI industries. He boldly proclaimed the goal of 'TSMC in Changhua by 2030,' arguing that Changhua's status as Taiwan's most important offshore wind power base and its green energy advantages, combined with desalination technology, would ensure stable water supply and align with international corporations' sustainability and net-zero emissions trends. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150616