On the morning of the first day of 2026, the Hsinchu City Government held the “Banners Flying in the Hsinchu Breeze” New Year’s Day Flag-Raising Ceremony at the Civic Plaza. The event drew a record-breaking crowd of over 4,500 residents, ranging from seniors and families to young students, who braved the morning chill to gather under the national flag and welcome the first light of the new year in a solemn yet warm atmosphere. The ceremony also featured a “New Year’s Day Birthday Celebration,” inviting citizens born on January 1st to celebrate together, symbolizing the shared glory between the city and its people. During her address, Mayor Kao Hung-An officially announced the launch of the “Hsinchu Arena” project, aimed at creating an international multi-functional landmark for the city.
Mayor Kao Hung-An stated that the flag-raising ceremony is not merely a ritual to welcome the new year, but a pivotal moment for the city government team to reflect on their responsibilities and review their achievements. Over the past three years, the administration has focused on the vision of a “Livable Technology City, consistently implementing policies in education, transportation, and social welfare. She emphasized that municipal progress is not just about statistics, but about tangible changes felt by the citizens in their daily lives. Thanks to the team’s persistent efforts, the completion rate of campaign promises has exceeded 80%, with a public works project starting or finishing every two days on average, symbolizing Hsinchu’s high-efficiency execution.
During her speech, Mayor Kao formally announced that the city government will initiate the “Hsinchu Arena” project this year. The plan involves building a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting international sports events, large-scale concerts, and tech industry exhibitions. This project will fill a critical gap in Hsinchu’s public performance infrastructure and inject fresh momentum into urban development. “Hsinchu deserves an international-level lifestyle landmark,” she said. She added that the future Arena will serve as more than just a sports venue; it will integrate culture, music, performing arts, and technological exchange, providing a stage for the youth to showcase their vitality and allowing the city’s hopes to continue to grow.
