Mayor’s Remarks:
1. With only two weeks remaining before the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere is steadily building. A number of lantern festivals are being held in succession across Tainan, including city government-organized events, such as the Yuejin Lantern Festival, Longci Light Festival, Yue Jin Art Museum, and Xinying Shimmer Festival, as well as community-initiated events, such as the Zuozhen Lantern Festival and the Puji Lantern Festival. The Tourism and Travel Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau are requested to work with local district offices to connect individual events with nearby commercial areas and tourist attractions, creating integrated travel routes that allow residents and visitors to enjoy in-depth travel experiences while boosting local tourism. To ensure event quality, the Police Bureau and the Transportation Bureau are requested to work together to maintain traffic order in event areas and to strengthen the promotion of public transportation use.
2. District offices are requested to re-inspect all traffic signs and signals within their jurisdictions to find out if any are tilted or damaged and to carry out necessary repairs promptly. As the Lunar New Year approaches, many commercial areas and households will be undertaking thorough cleaning. The Environmental Protection Bureau is requested to step up public outreach on reducing food waste, improving waste sorting, and promoting recycling. It should also coordinate with district offices to remind residents that free appointments are available for bulky waste collection. These efforts aim to improve residential quality of life, reduce waste generation, and enhance resource sustainability and environmental cleanliness. The Public Works Bureau and Economic Development Bureau are likewise requested to strengthen guidance on the proper handling and disposal of construction waste. It is hoped that the temporary soil storage site can be put into operation as soon as possible to minimize impacts on the environment and cityscape and to support the smooth implementation of public works projects.
Reports
1. The Labor Affairs Bureau presented a report on the "Foreign Student Care and Visitation Program" (refer to written sources for details).
Resolution: Filed for reference.
Mayor’s Comments:
(1) Foreign students who come to Taiwan to study seek not only academic knowledge but also practical work experience. Accordingly, the City promotes internship programs for foreign students. As Taiwan faces labor shortages across various sectors, including manufacturing and services, these programs aim to attract outstanding talent to remain in Taiwan and join the workforce. However, internships for foreign students must not become “internships in name only, but part-time work in practice”—a practice that is strictly prohibited under current regulations. Therefore, visitation and support efforts for foreign students are necessary. The Labor Affairs Bureau is requested to strengthen communication with internship-hosting companies and remind them to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
(2) While studying and undertaking internships in Taiwan, foreign students often face significant challenges related to language, daily life, and cultural adjustment, making them more vulnerable to negative external influences. The Labor Affairs Bureau is requested to enhance daily life guidance and expand care services to help ensure that foreign students can study and intern in Tainan with peace of mind.
2. The Finance and Taxation Bureau submitted a report titled “Smart Taxation Innovation: Secure, Efficient, and User-Friendly Services” (refer to written sources for details).
Resolution: Filed for reference.
Mayor’s Comments:
(1) On the premise of ensuring information security, the promotion of innovative smart taxation services can reduce the burden on service counters, shorten processing times, and decrease paper usage. The Finance and Taxation Bureau is requested to continue promoting digital services and to collaborate with land administration, civil affairs, and police agencies to strengthen public awareness and encourage the use of these services, thereby reducing the burden on citizens of having to travel frequently for administrative procedures. Appreciation is extended to the Finance and Taxation Bureau for its efforts.
(2) The Finance and Taxation Bureau is requested to continue promoting the application for the real-time notification service for tax registration changes to reduce the risk of fraud and better safeguard citizens’ property and financial security.