Chiayi, Taiwan, celebrated its 321st anniversary with a unique blend of art, history, and forward-thinking urban planning. The “Zhuluo Founding 320+1 ‘Recall of Painting My Jia’s Tax Promotion and painting Competition,” held in Chiayi Park, transformed the city’s past culture and future vision into vibrant paintings. Think of it as a city-wide canvas, where artists of all ages captured the essence of Chiayi, much like Norman Rockwell depicted small-town america.

Mayor Huang Minhui emphasized the importance of the event, stating that it allows citizens and tourists alike to understand Chiayi through art. The sketching activities sponsored by the Finance and Taxation Bureau over the years not only combine local characteristics, but also allow citizens and foreign tourists to understand Chiayi through paintings. The choice of Chiayi Park, home to the KANO baseball Stadium, as the event’s location was particularly significant. This stadium, a symbol of the city’s rich baseball history, represents a microcosm of Chiayi’s advancement and its ambitious future plans.

The event aimed to foster an emotional connection between residents and their city. Participants, spanning from kindergarteners to senior citizens, expressed their love and memories of Chiayi through their art. This intergenerational participation mirrors the enduring appeal of baseball in the U.S., where families often share their passion for the sport across generations.

beyond the artistic festivity, the event also served as a platform for tax education. Mayor Huang Minhui highlighted the Finance and Taxation Bureau’s efforts to promote tax awareness and participation. When promoting tax publicity, the Finance and Taxation bureau not only requires tax payment, but also allows the public to understand the purpose of each share of tax through practical actions and strengthen citizens’ participation and recognition. In 2024, the bureau provided over 25,000 tax-saving services, assisting citizens in legally saving over 130 million yuan. This focus on financial literacy and citizen empowerment is a crucial aspect of Chiayi’s development strategy.

Chiayi is also committed to sustainable development. The city is actively promoting digital operations to reduce paper consumption and implement environmentally friendly practices. in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Protection Bureau, Chiayi launched a green point application activity for electronic tax bills. By replacing paper tax bills with electronic versions, the city aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote green consumption. This initiative aligns with the growing global emphasis on environmental duty, similar to the efforts of manny U.S. cities to reduce their carbon footprint.

Moreover, Chiayi is planning a light rail network to create a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly transportation system. This ambitious project reflects the city’s commitment to providing a sustainable and integrated transportation environment for its residents. The “Light Rail Come to I Jia” coloring activity engaged the public in understanding the planned routes and envisioning the future of Chiayi’s transportation infrastructure.

The anniversary celebration featured a variety of engaging activities, including a cloud invoice experience area where participants could use the Action Payment APP to pay and store cloud invoices in exchange for ice cream. This initiative promoted the convenience of digital payment methods and cloud invoices. Parent-child games and photo check-in areas further enhanced the festive atmosphere and fostered a sense of community.

While the event showcased Chiayi’s commitment to art, history, and sustainable development, some might argue that the focus on tax promotion could overshadow the artistic and cultural aspects of the celebration. though, the city’s integrated approach, combining art, education, and community engagement, demonstrates a holistic vision for its future. The event successfully blended entertainment with civic responsibility,creating a memorable and meaningful experience for all participants.

Further investigation could explore the long-term impact of these initiatives on Chiayi’s economic development, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.How will the light rail project transform the city’s transportation landscape? What are the projected environmental benefits of the green point program? And how will the city continue to foster a sense of community and civic responsibility among its residents? These are crucial questions that will shape the future of Chiayi.

Chiayi’s 321st-anniversary celebration was a testament to the city’s rich history,vibrant culture,and forward-thinking vision. By blending art, education, and community engagement, Chiayi is paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous future.