Kaohsiung City: 2025 Final Accounts Continue with Zero Borrowing, Accumulating NT$25 Billion in Debt Reduction Over 5 Years

Kaohsiung, CNA – (Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-yuan, Kaohsiung, April 24) Kaohsiung City's estimated final accounts for 2025 have been released. Finance Bureau Director Lee Chiung-hui stated that the city once again achieved zero borrowing. Since Mayor Chen Chi-mai took office, he has promoted public-private partnerships, expanded revenue sources, and adhered to fiscal discipline, repaying NT$4.85 billion in debt in 2025, with a cumulative debt reduction of NT$25 billion.

The Finance Bureau today issued a press release stating that since 2021, the city has achieved zero borrowing for five consecutive years. In the past, due to insufficient resources, Kaohsiung relied on borrowing to fund municipal construction, and when Chen Chi-mai took office, the debt reached NT$247.7 billion, already the highest nationwide.

Lee Chiung-hui said that after Chen Chi-mai took office, he implemented revenue generation and expenditure reduction measures and effectively reduced debt. As of the end of 2025, the debt had decreased to NT$224.3 billion. Including the repayment of NT$1.6 billion in public education and auxiliary purchase fund debt, the total debt reduction reached NT$25 billion. The debt-to-debt ceiling ratio significantly decreased from 78% upon inauguration to 57%, and the local government debt classification improved from moderate to light, demonstrating stringent debt control and significant improvement in performance in Kaohsiung.

Lee Chiung-hui pointed out that in recent years, under zero borrowing, the city government has continued to launch four metro lines simultaneously, as well as social housing, public welfare facilities, and national sports centers. To meet financial needs, the city government has expanded revenue and created income through public-private partnerships, public-sector-led urban renewal, and joint metro development, strengthening fiscal resilience.

Since Chen Chi-mai took office, the amount of investment attracted through public-private partnerships has exceeded NT$340 billion, reaching a new historical high of NT$111.6 billion in 2025, securing the title of "Investment Promotion King" nationwide for another year. In addition, comprehensive tourism development, such as the Dinosaur Cool Land, Ultraman, Winter Wonderland, and the concert economy, has driven tourist crowds and attracted both human and financial flows, which in turn has caused Kaohsiung's own revenue to exceed NT$100 billion for five consecutive years, injecting funds into municipal expenditures.

Lee Chiung-hui stated that over the past five years, the city government has diligently promoted urban and industrial transformation and expanded fiscal revenue, gradually improving its fiscal health. This year, it will continue its efforts, strengthening revenue generation and expenditure reduction methods, and striving towards the goal of debt reduction and "zero borrowing" in 2026. (Edited by Lee Hsi-chang) 1150424