Hsinchu County GovernmentHsinchu News

Hsinchu AIoT Accelerator Enters 5th Year! Launching First-ever POC Grants and Leading Startups to Malaysia for Global Expansion

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:34:00 GMT

Targeting global AIoT applications and strategic opportunities in Southeast Asia, the Hsinchu County Government, in collaboration with StarFab—Taiwan’s largest industry accelerator—announced today (the 10th) the official launch of the 5th "Hsinchu AIoT Accelerator" recruitment program. This year’s program not only deepens the "Corporate-Startup Co-creation" model but also introduces Proof of Concept (POC) grants for the first time. Furthermore, the initiative plans to lead 10 selected startups to Malaysia for business matchmaking, demonstrating Hsinchu County's commitment to connecting young entrepreneurs with the global supply chain.

As the Hsinchu AIoT Accelerator enters its fifth year, its industry mentorship capacity has reached new heights. This year’s "Star Mentors" consist of seven leading enterprises: Ansgate, Agptek, Champ Vision, Ray-Town, SYSTEX, WiAdvance, and Might Electronic, showcasing a powerful synergy of industry heritage and innovation. Among them, Might Electronic has provided unwavering support since the first edition; SYSTEX has been deeply involved for three consecutive years, and Ray-Town enters its second year as a mentor. Additionally, WiAdvance, an original mentor from the first two editions, makes a surprise return this year. The cohort also welcomes three new industry giants specializing in semiconductors and optical sensing: Ansgate, Agptek, and Champ Vision. This blend of "veterans and newcomers" aims to comprehensively shorten the commercialization cycle from technology to market.

To assist startups in accurately aligning their solutions with industrial environments, the program is introducing POC Validation Grants for the first time. These grants provide substantial subsidies for integration costs incurred during field testing with mentor companies. By reducing early-stage R&D risks, the initiative helps high-potential AIoT applications bridge the "Valley of Death" and transform into commercially viable products.

Vice County Magistrate Chen Chien-hsien stated, "We are grateful to this year’s seven corporate mentors for their continued support, which provides immense momentum to our startup teams. The accelerator must not only take root locally but also help our youth 'go global.'" Following last year’s market exploration in Singapore, this year the program focuses on Malaysia, a core strategic hub in Southeast Asia. Through the overseas expansion plan, high-potential teams will be led to Malaysia in September for cross-border business exchange and precision matchmaking, propelling Hsinchu’s innovative technology onto the international stage.

Tsai Shu-chen, Director of the Education Bureau, emphasized that "Hsinchu County has become the core hub for AIoT innovation in Taiwan." Over the past five years, the Hsinchu AIoT Accelerator has attracted hundreds of startups, successfully facilitating numerous co-creation achievements and accumulating a total funding amount exceeding NT$380 million. In the future, the County Government will continue to optimize the entrepreneurial landscape by connecting government, corporate, and international resources to build the strongest startup ecosystem.

Registration for the 5th Hsinchu AIoT Accelerator is now open. We cordially invite startup teams with innovative technologies to join us and start a new chapter of technological business opportunities in Hsinchu County. The application deadline is Friday, May 22, at 11:59 PM.

Registration Link: https://www.surveycake.com/s/Avkqa

For more details, please visit: Hsinchu Youth Startup (HYS) Website

Delegates from Málaga City Council Visit Hsinchu County Government to Explore Smart City Transformation and Collaboration Opportunities

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:53:00 GMT

To strengthen international city exchanges and gain insights into smart governance, representatives from the Málaga City Council, Spain, recently visited the Hsinchu County Government. Both parties engaged in in-depth dialogues on smart city policies, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, and strategies to enhance public engagement with digital services. During the meeting, the Hsinchu County Government shared its three core future development strategies, aiming to spark innovative ideas and create collaboration opportunities across technology, industry, and culture.

On behalf of County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke, Secretary-General Lee An-yu delivered the welcoming remarks. She noted that Málaga has successfully transformed from a traditional tourism hub into a hybrid city blending culture and technology. The establishment of the Málaga TechPark, which has attracted international giants such as Google, Vodafone, and Microsoft—and even an IMEC 12-inch wafer R&D center—aligns perfectly with the Hsinchu County Government’s vision of being both tech-forward and livable. Lee expressed that Málaga’s journey serves as an excellent reference for Hsinchu and looks forward to fostering deeper industry ties and a long-term, stable partnership.

Málaga representatives Cristina Muñoz Zea and Cristian García-Espina Adank shared that the rapid development of their science park over the past 20 years has attracted significant talent and industry. They emphasized that Hsinchu is a vital peer due to its own Science Park and leadership in semiconductors and high-tech industries. They extended their gratitude to Vice President Hsieh Hung-nien of the Smart City Research Institute at Chung Hua University for facilitating this exchange. Furthermore, they invited the Hsinchu County Government team to attend the Smart City Seminar in Málaga this September to gain a deeper understanding of Spain’s progress in smart urban development.

In response, Secretary-General Lee thanked the delegates for the invitation to the seminar and the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) events, noting that these are valuable learning opportunities for Hsinchu County.

During the technical exchange, the Hsinchu County Government’s Department of Digital Development presented three core strategies aimed at increasing service stickiness and proactive governance:

AI Citizen Butler: Shifting from people searching for services to services finding people. This includes the Welfare Inquiry Station 2.0, which uses an intuitive genealogical interface for welfare eligibility checks. Future integration of Large Language Models (LLM) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) will make public sector information more conversational and accurate, eventually enabling proactive notifications with user consent.
Smart Eye for Safety: Utilizing Vision-Language Models (VLM) and Edge Computing, this project will deploy an all-day AI safety detection system. By integrating video and behavioral analysis, the system can identify anomalies—such as violent incidents involving weapons or traffic accidents—in real-time, significantly boosting public safety and early-warning capabilities.
Smart Sandbox Innovation Project: Deepening public-private partnerships by implementing the spirit of Public Proposals, Expert Execution. Residents identify pain points in daily life, which are then addressed by enterprises and academic units to transform creative ideas into functional technological prototypes.

The meeting was attended by the Hsinchu County Government team and academic experts, including Vice President Hsieh Hung-nien. The Málaga representatives expressed strong resonance with Hsinchu’s initiatives, particularly in digital surveillance and AI integration, noting that Málaga has similar projects underway. Liu Yi-fan, Director of the Department of Digital Development, added that the Smart Eye for Safety project is expected to launch in May, and the results will be shared with international partners.

British Paramedic Returns to Taiwan for Exchange: Hsinchu County Government Fire Bureau Hosts Taiwan-UK Pre-hospital Care Exchange

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

To promote international professional exchange in emergency medical services (EMS) and enhance the quality of pre-hospital medical care, the Hsinchu County Government Fire Bureau held the "Taiwan-UK Pre-hospital Emergency Care Exchange Meeting" on the afternoon of the 10th in the 8th-floor conference room of the Fire Bureau. Instructor Chuang Chia-hao, who currently serves at the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, was invited to share insights into the pre-hospital emergency care systems in the UK and Australia, as well as first-line practical experiences, and to engage in professional discussions with the Bureau's Emergency Medical Technicians-Paramedic (EMT-P).

The Fire Bureau stated that Instructor Chuang Chia-hao has been engaged in pre-hospital emergency care in Australia and the UK for a long time. Currently, he serves as a Paramedic for the South Central Ambulance Service in the UK and is a member of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT). He possesses specialized training in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) response and mass casualty incident management, bringing wealth of international EMS practical experience.

It is worth mentioning that the Hsinchu County Government Fire Bureau and Instructor Chuang Chia-hao share a special bond from previous exchanges. In September 2024, when the Director of the Fire Bureau led a delegation to Melbourne, Australia, for an EMS exchange visit, Instructor Chuang—who was working for Ambulance Victoria in Melbourne at the time—specially assisted as a translator and liaison. This enabled the delegation to smoothly exchange ideas with local EMS units. Furthermore, Instructor Chuang led the delegation to visit the fire station where he served as a volunteer firefighter, allowing the Fire Bureau team to gain a deep understanding of the Australian fire and rescue system. This established a strong foundation of friendship between the two parties.

The Fire Bureau pointed out that during Instructor Chuang Chia-hao's return to Taiwan, besides sharing European and American EMS systems and practical experiences at the exchange meeting, he also visited the Guangming Fire Station from March 10 to 11 to participate in ambulance duty exchanges. He observed EMS dispatch procedures and engaged in practical discussions and experience sharing with frontline personnel.

After visiting the Guangming Fire Station, Instructor Chuang Chia-hao remarked that it is the only specialized advanced life support team in the county. It is not only responsible for dual-track EMS dispatch for OHCA (Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest) patients but has also fully implemented the transition from traditional chest AED electrode placement to the "Anterior-Posterior" (front-to-back) placement this year. This allows EMS personnel to more effectively perform Double Sequential External Defibrillation (DSED) when necessary. Instructor Chuang stated that through such treatment strategies, the Guangming Fire Station has consistently achieved remarkable results in the discharge-to-recovery rate of OHCA patients. "This technique is currently not yet widely implemented even in the UK ambulance system. To be able to promote and implement it within a pre-hospital care system is truly an incredible achievement."

Chen Chung-chen, Director of the Fire Bureau, stated that in recent years, Hsinchu County has continued to refine its pre-hospital emergency care capabilities through EMT-P training, medical direction systems, and various professional training programs to constantly improve care quality. Through this international exchange opportunity, EMS personnel not only gain an understanding of the systems and practices of different countries but can also absorb experiences to further refine emergency medical services in the county and protect the lives and safety of citizens.

The Fire Bureau stated that it will continue to strengthen professional EMS capabilities through professional training and international exchanges in the future, providing Hsinchu County residents with more comprehensive pre-hospital emergency medical services.

In-Depth Travel Is Trending! Hsinchu County's "Walk in Hsinchu" Launches 4 New Spring Tours

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:38:00 GMT

As in-depth travel becomes a major new trend in tourism, the Hsinchu County Government continues to promote its travel brand "Walk in Hsinchu" by using "scent" as a unique entry point. This spring, four brand-new themed itineraries will be launched, combining the representative local scents and experiences of Guanxi, Xinpu, Jianshi, and Emei. Through guided walks, local cuisine, and DIY workshops, travelers will be led to discover Hsinchu County through its diverse aromas.

County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that the Hsinchu County Government has been promoting the "Walk in Hsinchu" brand for five years, attracting over 3,700 participants to date. These itineraries combine fun with cultural appreciation, making them highly popular among travelers from Northern Taiwan and even attracting corporate group bookings. By promoting local culture through these specialized tours, the initiative not only encourages young people to return to their hometowns and stimulates the local economy but also creates employment opportunities. This allows tourism to be more than a brief stop; it becomes a meaningful way to understand and support the locality, gradually driving regional economic and employment growth.

Tsai Yi-ling, Director of the Public Information and Marketing Department, stated that four new themed routes are expected to launch this April. These include "Guanxi Walk" focusing on the scents of perilla and herbal tea, "Jianshi Walk" featuring the aroma of tea, "Xinpu Walk" highlighted by the scent of coffee, and "Emei Walk" combining the fragrance of camellia oil. Each route showcases the natural environment and industrial characteristics of the different townships, presenting a diverse and delicate local profile of Hsinchu County.

The Public Information and Marketing Department noted that a special souvenir, the "Local Herbal Fragrance Sachet," has been designed for these tours. Inspired by the local herbs of the four townships, it allows travelers to carry the olfactory memories of their journey back into their daily lives after the trip ends.

"Walk in Hsinchu" offers both half-day and full-day itineraries, covering DIY experiences, local culinary exploration, and in-depth guided walks. Led by local artisans and professional guides, the tours encourage travelers to use their senses and feet to deeply understand the natural environment and cultural context of Hsinchu County. We invite travelers from all over to follow the scents into Hsinchu and embark on their next journey of flavor.

Dong Xing Junior High School Deepens Local Roots and Crosses Borders: Signing MOU with Tozawa Gakuen in Japan

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 02:19:00 GMT

From February 1 to February 5, 2026, Hsinchu County Dongxing Junior High School visited Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, for an international educational exchange with Tozawa Gakuen. Principal Lin Jian-ming personally led 18 "Junior Ambassadors" on the trip, accompanied by the Dean of Academic Affairs, teachers, the Parents' Association Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, and County Councilor Chiu Ching-ya. This visit marked a significant milestone as the first physical international exchange since the school’s founding. During the trip, Dongxing Junior High School and Japan’s Tozawa Gakuen officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), symbolizing the establishment of a long-term and stable international partnership.

Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that the starting point of international education lies in a deep understanding of one’s own locality. Through the exchange process in Tozawa Village, Japan, students expanded their horizons by making comparisons and learned to look back at their hometown through an international lens, practicing the Hsinchu County Government's educational vision of "Reading the Local, Leaping to the Global."

Tsai Shu-chen, Director of the Education Bureau, pointed out that the Bureau uses local issues as the starting point for learning. Through international exchanges, students are guided to better understand cultural differences and cultivate a world perspective through action, allowing learning to move from the classroom to the international stage while deepening local identity through global experiences.

The theme of this exchange was focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): "Sustainable Cities and Communities," specifically centering on regional revitalization. Under the global trend of declining birthrates, students from Taiwan and Japan jointly explored how localities can revitalize communities and industries through local characteristics and innovative strategies to form sustainable urban-rural development models, deepening their understanding of global sustainability.

Prior to the trip, Dongxing Junior High School conducted local field studies and issue-based training to guide students in understanding sustainability issues in their own hometown. Students visited farmlands at the foot of Litou Mountain, learned about the challenges facing rural sustainable development in Zhubei through the Harvest Association, and explored water environment issues, historical contexts, and ecological restoration practices of man-made wetlands in the Touqian River basin.

Simultaneously, the teaching team conducted online collaborative preparation with Tozawa Gakuen. Students completed two online exchanges and received cultural and English presentation training, laying a solid foundation for the physical visit. During the exchange, students participated in classroom interactions, gave cultural presentations, and experienced making Tozawa Village’s traditional foods, "Sasamaki" and "Kujira-mochi." Through teamwork and cross-cultural communication, they completed tasks using gestures and mutual aid despite language barriers, demonstrating high levels of engagement.

Several students shared that through hands-on cooperation, they quickly established a rapport. One student mentioned that when making Sasamaki together, communication was possible through gestures and smiles, instantly closing the distance between them. Another student noted that the exchange helped them better understand the value and preciousness of different cultures.

Principal Lin Jian-ming of Dongxing Junior High School emphasized that this exchange allowed students to realize that the value of culture lies in being understood and cherished. The teaching team hopes that as children step out into the world, they also develop a deeper appreciation for their own hometown. The event was honored to be covered by the local Japanese media outlet YBC (Yamagata Broadcasting Co.), which recognized that international exchange brings new perspectives to local culture.

Looking toward the future, the Hsinchu County Government will continue to deepen international education and integrate local and international resources, allowing students to start from an understanding of their home and expand into a global vision, nurturing future citizens with both global literacy and local concern.

Run Across Mountains, Seas, and Fields: "Crazy for Sports" Video Series Connects Running with Local Scenery

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:14:00 GMT

To promote a nationwide sports culture and integrate local tourism, the Hsinchu County Government has launched the "Crazy for Sports" video series. The series features four representative running routes within the county, utilizing actual runners and multi-angle cinematography to showcase Hsinchu County's diverse professional sports environments and natural cultural landscapes. Based on the concept of "Running as Traveling," the videos allow citizens to step into daily city life and get closer to local scenery through exercise, demonstrating Hsinchu County's charm as a city ideal for living, sports, and exploration.

Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that as health awareness has risen in recent years, road running has become a highly popular sport. Hsinchu County possesses diverse landscapes including mountains, seas, and riverfronts, along with comprehensive sports venues, making it an optimal arena for promoting public sports. This marks the first time a video series has been used to integrate sports, tourism, and lifestyle elements. It is hoped that these visuals will guide the public to step outdoors, experience Hsinchu County's rich and friendly exercise environment firsthand, and build a healthy, energetic city image.

The "Crazy for Sports" series consists of four episodes, with routes covering professional sports venues, riverfront green spaces, coastal scenery, and rural country roads. These routes cater to different runner needs and intensities, presenting a range of running experiences from daily leisure to advanced training. The videos not only record the rhythm and process of running but also naturally incorporate local landscapes, cultural atmospheres, and lifestyles, making running a new lens through which to discover Hsinchu County.

Tsai Yi-ling, Director of the Public Information and Marketing Department, pointed out that each episode in this series is over three minutes long, utilizing aerial photography and multi-angle tracking shots. The videos are available in both Mandarin and Hakka versions to attract participation across different ages and ethnic groups. By using video as a bridge, the Hsinchu County Government aims to guide citizens to physically visit these routes and feel the city’s rhythm and natural beauty with their own feet, further demonstrating the concrete results of the Hsinchu County Government’s long-term investment in sports infrastructure and livable city development.

"Crazy for Sports" Video: https://youtu.be/48M5hWl49nY?si=a7v01S7n_1-ckcvg0

Hsinchu Travel Guide "d design travel HSINCHU" Chinese-English Edition Book Launch and Sharing Session

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:09:00 GMT

Collaboratively facilitated by the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation and OR (Hon-Mei Cultural & Creative Industries), the first Hsinchu travel guide from an international perspective, "d design travel HSINCHU" (Chinese title: "d Design Travel Taiwan: Hsinchu"), officially released its Japanese-English edition in Japan late last year. The book received widespread acclaim from readers and the cultural design community. Today (the 16th), a Chinese-English edition sharing session was held at OR Bookstore. Through cross-linguistic publishing and international design perspectives, the event showcased Hsinchu’s local culture, lifestyle, and urban spirit, further advancing the Hsinchu County Government's policy of "culture-led local development and bringing culture to the world."

County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke stated that Chairman Chen Tien-shun of Hon-Mei Cultural & Creative Industries and his team produced the documentary "Mountain Makers," which recorded the development of the semiconductor industry from its inception to its current global scale. This new collaboration, the travel guide "d design travel HSINCHU," invited the editorial team from Japan’s D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT to conduct extensive field research and onsite visits. From cuisine, crafts, and settlements to architecture and local life memories, the book comprehensively records Hsinchu’s cultural texture, serving as a specialized publication with both cultural archival value and international influence.

Magistrate Yang also mentioned that the release of the Japanese-English version in Japan last year allowed Japanese citizens to gain a deeper understanding of Hsinchu. This has not only become a significant achievement in Taiwan-Japan cultural exchange but has also allowed Hsinchu to step onto the international publishing stage with a friendly, rustic, and profound local image. He expressed his hope that everyone would find the time to read or even purchase the book.

Chen Tien-shun, CEO of OR (Hon-Mei Cultural & Creative Industries), noted that in executing this international publishing project with the D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT team, they hoped to reorganize Hsinchu through the eyes of foreigners. Things that local residents take for granted often spark great curiosity in international visitors. He hopes people see that Hsinchu is not just a "Tech City" but a living space full of stories, encouraging locals to rediscover and cherish these brilliant cultural elements. He emphasized that "d design travel HSINCHU" is not just a book, but a beginning to ensure Hsinchu’s wonderful culture is seen by the world.

Mitsuko Matsuzoe, President of D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT, expressed her gratitude for everyone’s assistance in making the publication possible. She was deeply moved to learn that Japanese readers have already visited restaurants and accommodations in Hsinchu using the book. She pointed out that the publication is a starting point rather than an end; they will maintain a friendly relationship with Hsinchu. With over a hundred shops and individuals featured in the book, she stressed that the future challenge for everyone is to work hand-in-hand to connect these entities and create an even better Hsinchu.

Chu Shu-min, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, indicated that this sharing session in Hsinchu County not only exhibited the Chinese-English edition but also featured Editor-in-Chief Shindo and Creative Director Soma sharing their editorial process and international publishing insights. This symbolizes the Hsinchu County Government's ongoing progress in cultural governance, support for youth creativity, local revitalization, and international design collaboration.

Director Chu mentioned that during the collaborative collection process, the Hsinchu County Government invited the Chinese edition’s chief editor to document the Japanese team’s design perspectives through an "Editor’s Diary" titled "HSINCHU COUNTY ISSUE," offering a behind-the-scenes look. In the future, the Hsinchu County Government and the Cultural Foundation will continue to promote cross-domain cooperation, linking culture with tourism, education, and industry to become a vital driver for the city’s sustainable development.

The sharing session also included a multinational exchange forum, attracting members of the cultural and design sectors as well as young creators. This demonstrates the results of Hsinchu County’s strategy to build a city brand based on cultural depth. The Hsinchu County Government stated that it will continue to expand cultural visibility through international publishing, cultural platforms, and creative design collaborations, allowing the world to recognize Hsinchu in more diverse ways.

Hsinchu County Plans New AI Citizen Assistant, Yang Wen-ke Affirms Convenience and Efficiency of Proactive Services

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:00:00 GMT

One of Hsinchu County Government’s standout policies for 2026 is the promotion of an AI Citizen Assistant, which aims to increase the efficiency of county services and help citizens obtain relevant welfare information without hassle. The County Government plans to establish a proactive notification platform that integrates information from different departments and bureaus (Social Affairs, Long-term Care, Education, etc.), and automatically dispatches notifications via LINE or similar software reminding eligible citizens to apply for welfare services. This is expected to eliminate the previous inconvenience of having to sort through a torrent of information to locate services.

After hearing a report from Digital Affairs Department Head Liu I-Fan at the management meeting on January 6, 2026, County Magistrate Yang Wen-Ke affirmed that the AI Citizen Assistant proactive service will be available for all citizens of Hsinchu County, and will increase administrative efficiency while ensuring the more accurate targeting of welfare services. The launch of this service is one of the Hsinchu County Government’s major administrative tasks for the year, and Magistrate Yang indicated that all relevant units are striving to cooperate.

Digital Affairs Department Head Liu I-Fan explained that in the future, when Hsinchu County citizens sign up for the AI Citizen Assistant platform, they will be given the option to receive welfare notifications. The system will run a backend comparison against relevant welfare system data, and if the user has opted into welfare notifications, it will proactively send reminder texts (via LINE, etc.) to notify the user of applications for welfare programs, such as gifts and subsidies for senior citizens, provided they meet the application criteria. This will assist citizens in easily grasping relevant information and implement elder-friendly policies.

Additionally, the County Government plans to simultaneously meet the needs of households with children. When a child reaches the age of eligibility to apply for public or private kindergarten, the system will proactively send a reminder notice to assist parents in preparing relevant application materials in advance, easing the childrearing burden.

The Digital Affairs Department emphasized that Hsinchu County Government actively promotes user-friendly digital services. The AI Citizen Assistant considers the public’s needs and uses smart comparison mechanisms to proactively remind eligible citizens to apply for social welfare, reducing the burden on citizens to check for themselves and jump through hoops, creating more intimate and convenient County Government services. The planning and installation of relevant systems is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. In the future, Hsinchu County Government will continue to expand its services, allowing more residents to enjoy smart, convenient County Government services.

Promoting Taiwan-Japan camaraderie in soccer: International exchange between Hsinchu County and Roasso Kumamoto

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

The Roasso Kumamoto × Hsinchu Glory soccer exchange event was held a couple days ago, on December 23. This event was cosponsored by Hsinchu County Government’s Education Bureau, the Hsinchu Glory youth soccer camp, Roasso Kumamoto soccer team, JKL 331 cross cultural marketing company, and the Kumamoto Branch of JTB Corp, Japan’s largest travel agency. Hsinchu County Government’s Education Bureau Deputy Director Lin Yi-chou, Hsinchu County Athletics Federation Soccer Committee Chair Chiang Hsueh-hung, and others were onsite to show their care for such exchanges. They also cheered on all the participating little champions, and encouraged the kids to grasp this rare learning opportunity.

For this soccer exchange event, all Hsinchu County school soccer teams, groups, and Indigenous athletes from remote villages were invited to join in. All told, nearly 500 schoolchildren assembled together on the soccer field. The event program divided kids up by age, with three youth league coaches from Kumamoto, Japan teaching them in different time slots. Based on the kids’ different stages of development, the coaches provided expert, systematic soccer drills and technical guidance, ensuring that each child learn to the best of their abilities.

This exchange traces its origin to a July 2025 Hsinchu County Government trip to Kumamoto, in which County Government officials participated in the Semiconductor Industry Focus on Impacts on Regional Development and Response Strategies Taiwanese-Japanese forum, which helped to build up friendly relations. Also, on November 25, 2025, the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation formally signed a letter of intent to cooperate with JTB Corp, aimed at working together in the areas of tourism, local industries, educational development, cultural promotion, and more. This will help transform international exchange into real action.

At this soccer exchange event, children were able to get wholeheartedly into training on the soccer pitch. While practicing how to trap & pass the ball, defense, and other fundamental skills, they showed great concentration and passion for learning. The practical interaction and exchange not only improved their soccer skills, but also built helped cultivate a spirit of teamwork, athletic literacy, and positive character development.

A spokesperson from Hsinchu County Government’s Education Bureau stated that ongoing international soccer exchange events will help deepen Taiwanese-Japanese friendship and promote long-lasting grassroots soccer. Events such as these help create diverse study environments with an international perspective for Hsinchu County schoolchildren build, and will keep promoting the development of athletics in Hsinchu County.

Hsinchu County Promotes Achievements in Sustainable Education, Kuan-Hsi Senior High School and REWOOD win the IASE Education Impact Award

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

Hsinchu County Government promotes achievements in sustainable education. Recently, National Kuan-Hsi Senior High School and REWOOD Charcoal Economy Creation Co., Ltd. (REWOOD) were both honored with the Education Impact Award by the International Association for Sustainable Education (IASE). County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke issued certificates of merit to the two institutions at the county management meeting on December 16, 2025, stating that this award will show more citizens that sustainable education is not limited to classroom knowledge—it is diverse, interesting, and deeply active.

Magistrate Yang expressed that to promote county citizens’ environmental accomplishments and sustainable development goals (SDGs), Hsinchu County Government integrates local characteristics into its promotion of sustainable education. Through diverse measures such as professional development programs for teachers, career exploration for adolescents, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and the establishment of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and corporate governance platforms that encourage corporate response, the government is using sustainable concepts to promote local industry transformation and accelerate progress toward creating a “cultural and technological smart city” and achieving net-zero sustainability targets.

The Education Bureau pointed out that Kuan-Hsi Senior High School was selected for the IASE Education Impact Award for its Carbon Assault, Don’t Sigh! Campus Green Teaching project, which actively integrates sustainable education into the school’s curriculum, deepening active guided study of biology and the environment; focusing on SDGs and sustainability goals; and promoting diverse methods such as plastic reduction, tree planting, food and agriculture education, and ecological survey to extend environmental protection from the classroom into the students’ daily lives, thereby fully realizing practical outcomes of sustainable education.

REWOOD, a local company in Hsinchu County, also won the IASE’s Community Impact Award—Paragon Award for its project titled Symbiosis with Campus Trees, Corporate Aid in Protection: Creating Sustainable Administration and Local Innovation Models on Hsinchu County School Campuses. This project was jointly promoted by REWOOD and the Education Department of the Hsinchu County Government, and is expected to extend to 121 campuses over its 3-year duration. The project is an important model for promoting sustainable campus administration within the county, and builds campus ecospheres capable of sustainable administration through systematic tree examination, twig recycling, encouraging young people to innovate in their hometowns, and practicing corporate ESG, thereby successfully linking campus safety, environmental education, and local innovation.

When a banyan tree at Feng Chia University fell over, it led to the tragic death of a graduate student. This compelled REWOOD founder Chen Wei-Cheng to start thinking about the safety of trees on campuses and in cities, as well as the topic of resource circulation. Chen has joined hands with the Education Department to enter campuses and carry out resource circulation in local cities for local students and residents. He believes that Hsinchu County Government’s success can be replicated in other cities and counties, and if everyone promotes sustainability together, we can create a more beautiful environment.

Hsinchu County’s “Every Day a Good Day” participates in Japanese exhibition; Secretary-General Lee Anyu visits Sumida City Office, deepening cultural and artistic exchange between Taiwan and Japan

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

County’s cultural exchange with Sumida City in Tokyo, Japan continues to achieve new milestones. Last year, Hsinchu County invited Japanese brand Sumida Modern to take part in an international exhibition featuring the winning projects from the second annual The Dream of Craft – Taiwan Creative Crafts Design Competition. This year, the handicrafts of local Hsinchu County brand Every Day a Good Day were exhibited alongside Sumida Modern for the first time at the Tokyo Skytree in Japan, from December 6–7, 2025. Hsinchu County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke greatly values the development of Hsinchu County’s artistic and cultural industries, and he specially appointed Secretary-General Lee Anyu to lead a delegation representing the Hsinchu County Government, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation to visit the Sumida City Government on December 8, 2025. The delegation met with Sumida City Mayor Tooru Yamamoto, Section Chief of the Industry and Tourism Department Takehide Gunji, and others. Both sides spoke on good terms and expressed that they would deepen their exchange, and jointly promote the development of art and culture in both regions.

During the meeting, Secretary-General Lee expressed that the achievements from the current collaboration represent the initial results of a multi-year effort by both parties. At the same time, they symbolize that the collaboration is moving into its next stage. She pointed out that the seeds for this collaboration were planted all the way back in 2023, after a meeting with Section Chief Gunji, which was facilitated by the outstanding and deeply impactful Hsinchu local Chen Tien-Shun, chief executive of Grand Vision Co., Ltd. Lee extended a special thanks to Section Chief Gunji, pointing out that he had introduced the Sumida Modern brand as the pride of Sumida City during that initial meeting, precisely when Hsinchu County was promoting the development of cultural and creative brands. Sumida Modern was a critical model for Hsinchu County to learn from, and it inspired Hsinchu County to create its own cultural brand: Every Day a Good Day. Since then, Hsinchu County has also hosted a national culture and craft competition: The Dream of Craft. The many of the pieces that traveled to Sumida City for the current exhibition were prize-winning entries discovered through this competition.

Secretary-General Lee emphasized that this visit was also intended to promote the release of the monograph d design travel HSINCHU. This publication reveals Hsinchu County’s unique cultural treasure trove, especially its deeply rooted Hakka culture. She mentioned that when many people bring up Hsinchu, they think of the Science Park and the technology industry, but Hsinchu County actually has a deep cultural well—from crafts and artist groups to all categories of cultural and creative events—which have all taken root locally over an extended period. The County Government hopes that by continuing to study Sumida City, it can incorporate cultural and creative transformation into its own circular economic model, making Hsinchu County famous not only for technology, but also turning culture and creativity into important highlights for the city.

Sumida City Mayor Tooru Yamamoto pointed out that Hsinchu is a city that has combined technology and culture, and its cultural treasure trove is exceptionally enchanting. He was delighted by the previous invitation to exhibit Sumida City’s crafts in Taiwan, and has now reciprocated by inviting Hsinchu County’s craft brand to exhibit at the Skytree, representing the concrete results and warmth of the two parties’ exchange. He looks forward to future collaborations between Hsinchu County and Sumida City in the areas of craft creation, tourism promotion, and cultural exchange.

Chu Shu-Min, Director General of the Hsinchu County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau, pointed out that Hsinchu County Government and the Hsinchu County Cultural Association have actively created an international cultural network in recent years. In the future, they will continue to display Hsinchu County’s culture and crafts to the world through curation, art exchange, and cultural brand collaborations, continuing to shine in the international arena.

Regarding the current exchange, Secretary-General Lee expressed that Hsinchu County has been building connections with Sumida City for over 4 years, and this time, they brought a delegation and results to Sumida City in person. For Hsinchu County, this is only the completion of the first step. Sumida City Mayor Tooru Yamamoto also wholeheartedly awaits the continued flourishing development of Hsinchu County and Sumida City—two places that are rich in history and cultural capital. In the future, both sides will maintain close collaboration in the areas of crafts and culture, promoting the joint growth of both parties’ cultural industries, and striding toward broader development.

Japanese JTB and Cultural Foundation Sign Letter of Intent for Collaboration, Hsinchu Government Hopes to Deepen Taiwan–Japan Tourism, Industrial, and Cultural Exchange

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:00:00 GMT

The Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation and Japan’s JTB Corporation signed a collaborative letter of intent at the Hsinchu County Government on November 25, 2025, to develop deeper collaboration in fields such as sightseeing and tourism, local industry, educational development, and cultural spread. At the signing ceremony, Chu, Shu-Min, Executive Director of the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation, and JTB Corporation Executive Director and General Representative for the Kyushu Area Kazutoshi Shinozaki jointly accomplished, Hsinchu County Secretary-General Lee Anyu represented the county magistrate to show up and deliver an address, looking forward to throw this internation collaboration can make Hsinchu County and Japan establish closer international exchange platform.

Secretary-General Lee expressed that JTB Corp. has a century-long history, it is one of Japan’s largest and most internationally influential travel brands. Not only has it developed the tourism market, for many years it has invested in cultural spread, educational exchange, and local innovation. This time, they are collaborating with the Cultural Foundation, which not only symbolizes that Hsinchu County’s culture has achieved international recognition but also infuses important assistance into the County Government’s promotion of cultural tourism and local industrial upgrade.

Lee pointed out that Hsinchu County in recent years has actively integrated the three major aspects of culture, tourism, and industry, including promotion of the Hsinchu County Select brand, handling the Hsinchu’s Breeze Carries the Arts—Art for All annual event, and hosting The Dream of Craft handicraft competition, deepening Hakka village cultural tourism, and using the Cultural Foundation as a platform to link arts, design, youth innovation and cultural experience, etc. resources to continuously forge tourism content with cultural depth and local characteristics. This collaboration with JTB will help Hsinchu County push these energies toward the international market.

JTB expressed that Taiwan and Japan are important partners with shared values, facing shared problems such as population decline and aging population the cross-border cooperation that is needed to foster the next generation is already extremely urgent. Hsinchu County is Taiwan’s important industrial base, possessing rich Hakka culture and science and technology education experience, because Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is stationed in Kumamoto Prefecture, bringing international attention, also for technology education topics, etc. with Hsinchu County Government repeatedly exchange. JTB has specialization in the travel industry and widespread a widespread local network, this time it will develop comprehensive collaboration with the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation possessing rich Hakka culture.

JTB Corp. pointed out that through the signing of this agreement, both sides will build a foundation for talent, culture, and economic exchange, devoted to promoting regional value and strengthening international competitive power. Through the two organizations’ jointly promoted “regional linking model using the site as the starting point” will become a sustainable advance plan for international exchange with substantial results. And make contributions in diverse areas of tourism, industry, education, sports, culture, and arts promote exchange among the people, to develop regional society, cultivate talent, and activate the economy.

Chu, Shu-Min, Director General of the Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation, pointed out, this collaboration letter of intent substance covers diverse aspects such as cooperation in sightseeing itinerary design, local industry promotion, educational exchange cases, and cultural events. Both sides will establish committees to promote concrete plans. allowing the Japanese public to more deeply understand Hsinchu, visit Hsinchu, and make local businesses have opportunities to connect with international junctions. In the future, we will continue to, through diverse cooperation, expand Hsinchu County’s visibility on the international culture and tourism stage, and use culture to drive industry, promote growth through exchange, and build a happy city with more international competitiveness.

JTB Corporation Executive Director and General Representative for the Kyushu Area Kazutoshi Shinozaki, Kumamoto Branch Manager Hiroyuki Abe, Kumamoto Branch Tourism Development Producer Muneyuki Matsushita, and JTB Corp. unified unit JKL331 Representative Director Manabu Horiguchi, Chief Executive Hsieh, Chi-I, marketing director Hung, Pei-Yu, and others participated in the signing ceremony. Hsinchu County Counsel Representative Chiu, Ching-Ya also specially attended, and people from all walks of life jointly witnessed this important international cultural exchange collaboration, to establish a more solid foundation for deepening interactions between Taiwan and Japan.

Tourism Administration honors Qalang Smangus with “Best International Recommendation”, selects Emei Lake as Tourism 100 Spotlight

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 03:00:00 GMT

Hsinchu County’s Qalang Smangus achieves outstanding results yet again! Qalang Smangus distinguished itself among 191 sightseeing spots nationwide in the 2nd Tourism Spotlight Awards of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, where it was not only selected as one of the Top 30 Tourism Spotlights in Taiwan, but was even awarded the highest honor: Best International Recommendation. This shows that the charm of this indigenous village has caught the attention of international tourists. Additionally, Emei Lake was also selected as one of the Tourism 100 Spotlights for 2026 to 2027, making it the new hot search term for Hsinchu County tourism.

The award ceremony was held by the Tourism Administration, MOTC. Chang Chi-Ming, Deputy Director of the Hsinchu County Transportation Department, represented the county in receiving the award. He expressed that Qalang Smangus blends Atayal culture, giant tree clusters, and the sustainable spirit of a tribal village. It is a secret tribal boundary with a combination of natural splendor and rich culture seldom seen in Taiwan. In recent years, Emei Lake has combined the renovated lakeside trail system with the popularity of green energy yachts, becoming a popular scenic spot sought out by visitors for its slow pace.

Located in Jinashi Township, Qalang Smangus is often called “God’s Village”. It has trails winding through groves of divine trees and the atmosphere of a secluded mountain forest, making it a sacred place in the hearts of many mountaineering and hiking enthusiasts. In recent years, the village has promoted sustainable tourism and cultural guided tours, allowing tourists to understand the Atayal culture and natural ecology in-depth, revealing the village’s resilience and innovation in tourism. Emei Lake, meanwhile, is famous for its majestic lake and mountain vistas and lakeside trail system. The lakeside Maitreya bronze statue, Fuxing Old Street, and cafes encircling the lake collectively form an image of “slow travel” tourism.

The Transportation Department pointed out that the Hsinchu County Government has actively promoted tourism brands in recent years, with Hsinchu Hiking and Hsinchu Travel as the two core axes connecting mountain forests with local flavor. This year, Hiking Hsinchu adopted the theme of “Pipi Lion’s Exploration Team”, selecting ten mission paths countywide and specially arranging for the sightseeing highlight Qalang Smangus to serve as the year’s “hidden mission” challenge objective, enabling hiking enthusiasts to observe the beauty of this mountain forest. Meanwhile, Hsinchu Travel adopted the concept of “Launch a Journey with Flavor”. In 2025, four brand new itineraries were recommended in Wufeng, Beipu, Zhubei, and Hengshan, which were combined with lodging subsidies to encourage tourists to extend their one-day tours into overnight experiences.

The Transportation Department emphasized that future tourism marketing will continue to promote Tourism 100 Spotlights and focus on sustainable development and co-prosperity of local culture. Through a tourism design integrating the natural environment, Hakka heritage, and aboriginal culture, Hsinchu aims to create a tourism experience with both recreational and educational meaning so that every time tourists come to Hsinchu County, it becomes a meaningful dialogue with the land.

Hsinchu County holds National Day flag raising ceremony, Magistrate Yang Wen-ke: Continue to deliver tangible governance by putting the public first

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 03:00:00 GMT

October 10, 2025 – In celebration of Double Tenth Day (National Day), the Hsinchu County Government held the 2025 National Day and Flag Raising Ceremony in the public square in front of the Hsinchu County Government building. County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke led the Hsinchu County Government team in this undertaking, and was joined by Speaker Chang Cheng-Jung and colleagues from the Hsinchu County Council, town and city mayors, various public representatives from the central area, and many local residents. With the temperature at a steamy 36 degrees, the public responded enthusiastically and passionately, waving 6,000 flags in celebration of the R.O.C.’s birthday. Magistrate Yang said that he was deeply moved, and emphasized that he will continue to work for the people, putting the public first, to create a happy city that can be seen, used, and felt by the public.

During the flag raising ceremony, the flag was carried by members of the Marine Corps Veterans Association, and the songs were led by an intergenerational team from the Hngyang Na Atayal choral group. People in the public square sang the national anthem and the national flag song in unison, celebrating the R.O.C.’s birthday together.

Magistrate Yang gave a speech thanking the Hsinchu County Council for its wholehearted support, and Legislators Lin Szu-Ming and Hsu Hsin-Ing for supplementing the county with central resources, making infrastructure projects possible one by one, including the Five Arrows, the Ten Transportation Construction Projects, construction of elementary and middle schools, the Five Major High Schools Project, and construction of the Main Branch of the Hsinchu County Public Library, the art museum, and the sports center.

Magistrate Yang said that to make Hsinchu County happier and more prosperous, he will continue to promote Phase III of the Science Park and the Taiwan Knowledge-based Economic Flagship Park, enabling the technology sector to continue to develop in Hsinchu and creating more job opportunities. To smoothly promote each of the administration’s objectives and quickly reach their goals, the Hsinchu County Government will also conduct organizational adjustments. Additionally, to ensure care for people of all ages, the county government will continue to provide old age pensions, senior gifts, and free nutritional lunches at elementary and middle schools.

Magistrate Yang presented a medal of gratitude to the event’s organizer, the Hsinchu County Marine Corps Veterans Association. Performers who took to the square in the early morning heat, including the Washington Band, Er-Chong Folk Dance Group, the Hsinchu County Guanxi Dance Association, lion dancers from the Hsinchu County Hakka Martial Arts Lion Dance Development Association, and co-organizers including the Hsinchu County Tai Chi Qigong 18 Form Exercise Promotion Association, and the National Armed Forces Northern Region Recruitment Center Hsinchu Station, also received certificates of gratitude from Magistrate Yang.

At this National Day celebration, the Hsinchu County government also meticulously arranged activities, including a Pipi Lion photo backdrop, a nostalgic games area for seniors over the age of 65 (with limited edition gifts for completing a ring toss and sandbag throw), a water gun experience, and meet-and-greet with cute army mascots. The joyful atmosphere filled the square. Additionally, the Department of Social Affairs prepared 3000 flag-raising souvenirs—Pipi Lion picnic blankets—which began attracting lines of hopeful people as early as 6:30 a.m.

Moreover, at the National Day Ceremony, Magistrate Yang informed county residents of major administrative outcomes. In terms of Five Arrows construction, the government has made a concentrated effort to settle manufacturers in the AI Smart Park, Accton has already formally begun operations, while Wistron and GBC expect to begin operations by the end of 2025. ELAN Microelectronics also will complete construction in 2026, which will create at least 4000 job opportunities and an annual production value of more than NT$100 billion. The Taiwan Knowledge-based Economic Flagship Park has received support from the central government, and the hearing is expected to be over by the end of the year. Phase III of the Science Park has entered the deliberation phase, and land continues to be reserved for industrial expansion, ensuring that smart technology will remain rooted in Hsinchu County. As for the trash issue, which is the most pressing matter for citizens, High-Efficiency Waste Treatment Facilities were test-run last year, and will be formally online by the end of this year, ending many years of garbage troubles.

As for the Ten Transportation Construction Projects, construction on three of the ten projects has already begun smoothly and entered the substantial building stage. Among the remaining seven projects, funding has been determined for three of the projects, which are currently proceeding smoothly, and will soon start construction. As for the remaining four projects, although funding has not yet been determined, they are all currently undergoing evaluation assessments and funding applications. Everyone’s most anticipated project, the alternative route on Provincial Highway Route 1 has, thanks to hard work by everyone involved, already reached 24.5% completion as of the end of September, which is 7% ahead of schedule, and construction is anticipated to be completed in April 2027. Other projects currently under construction include the widening of County Highway 120 and the improvement project at the 43.5K section of County Highway 122 in Wufeng Township. Efforts are being made to accelerate projects such as the new connection between Provincial Highway 68 and Zhudong–Dongfeng Road, the addition of a second interchange at the Hukou Interchange, the Jingguo bridge improvement plan, all of which aim to strengthen transportation connectivity throughout Hsinchu County and promote the major Hsinchu life circle.

Regarding the most important issue—education—Magistrate Yang said that since assuming office, the education budget has consistently been the largest part of the annual budget, and it has increased every year. The Hsinchu County Council is about to deliberate on next year’s budget, and next year’s education budget is listed at NT$19.106 billion, which is 40.52% of the overall budget. Over the past 7 years, the annual education budget has increased by 95%, from NT$9.786 billion to NT$19.06 billion, nearly doubling, and demonstrating the Hsinchu County Government’s wholehearted support for education. In the shortest possible period, the Hsinchu County Government has built JiaFeng Elementary School, Wen Xing Elementary School, Wen-Xing Junior High School, and Sheng-Li Junior High School; expanded Erchong Elementary School and Song-Lin Elementary School; assisted in renovating many schoolhouses and improving campus spaces; and proposed the Five Major High School Projects, newly constructing the Zhubei Experimental High School, relocating Hukou High School, expanding Liou-Jia Senior High School, establishing Tzu Chiang Industrial High School, and converting Wen-Xing into a combined junior–senior high school. All of this created more study options for over 1000 students, and gave every child easy access to education and appropriate development.

Furthermore, Magistrate Yang expressed that to build Hsinchu County into a “wealthy and courteous” society, the Main Branch of the Hsinchu County Public Library will open in the middle of 2026, and the Hsinchu County Art Museum has completed contract signing with the architectural team. In the future, it will become a new cultural landmark for the citizens of Hsinchu County. He also pointed out that Hsinchu Country has maintained its position as a metropolis with excellent overall literacy levels for 3 consecutive years, and it is the only county in the nation to receive an excellent assessment for its local Hakka Development Plan for consecutive years. The Hsinchu County Government team will continue to do its best for the sake of this land, building pride in Hsinchu County!

Santa Clara County Supervisor visits; Yang, Wen-ke vows to deepen technological and cultural exchange between sister cities

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:00:00 GMT

Over the past 30 years, Hsinchu County has built a friendly relationship with Santa Clara, California, its sister city in the United States. On October 8, 2025, County Magistrate Yang, Wen-ke received Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and his wife Sally Wu in the magistrate’s office. Both sides exchanged views on topics such as technology, industry, education, and culture. During the meeting, Magistrate Yang instructed attending officials from the Civil Affairs, Economic Development, Education, and Cultural Affairs departments to deepen exchanges with their sister city in the areas of technology, culture, and education.

Magistrate Yang pointed out that Hsinchu County and Santa Clara established their sister city relationship back in 1995. Both parties are strategic technology hubs with similar industrial structures, which offers future opportunities for them to strengthen their collaboration in the areas of startup industries, semiconductors, and AI industries.

Magistrate Yang also shared that last month he led a delegation of Hakka Bayin troupes—representing Hsinchu’s intangible cultural heritage—on a trip to Vienna. The troupes performed in the Golden Hall (Brahms-Saal), displaying Hsinchu County’s cultural depth and diverse charm, eliciting an enthusiastic response. Magistrate Yang expressed hope that in the future, Hsinchu County and Santa Clara will have more exchanges in the areas of culture, art, and education.

County Supervisor Lee said that Santa Clara is located in the core belt of the global Silicon Valley, and has amassed numerous top-tier international tech companies. Hsinchu County is similarly renowned for innovation and technology. Lee expressed hope that the sister city relationship will facilitate multilayered exchanges in technology and education, as well as cultural exchanges among youth from both countries. He also praised Hsinchu County’s medical resources and standards, expressing hope for additional exchange opportunities in the future.

County Supervisor Lee pointed out that 40% of Santa Clara’s residents are Asian, half of whom are of Han descent. He invited Hsinchu County’s arts and cultural groups to perform in Santa Clara, expressing that the immigrant population will be greatly moved by their performances.

Magistrate Yang also presented a gift box of Oriental Beauty tea to the Lee family. County Supervisor Lee, in turn, presented a gift of coffee, maple syrup, and other American specialty products, emphasizing the shared commitment to sustaining the friendship between sister cities.