Following ETtoday's recent announcement of Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen's 85.0% citizen satisfaction rate after six years in office, the "2024 County and City Happiness Index Survey," jointly conducted by the Economic Daily News and Cathay Life Insurance, released its results today (5th). Taichung secured first place nationally, setting a new record in the survey's 13-year history! The city also ranked first among the six special municipalities in "Local Government Administrative Satisfaction." Within less than a week, Taichung has received recognition in major public opinion polls, earning widespread acclaim. Mayor Lu, attending a city council inquiry session, could not personally attend the award ceremony. In a pre-recorded video, she emphasized that this honor belongs to all 2.85 million Taichung citizens and expressed gratitude for the citizens' recognition and the municipal team's round-the-clock efforts.

Mayor Lu, the only female mayor among the six special municipalities, said she considers citizens family members. Since taking office, she has implemented the "Five Taichungs" as administrative goals, including "Sunny Taichung," "Prosperous Taichung," "Technological Taichung," "Sustainable Taichung," and "International Taichung," aiming to transform the city into a "Happy and Livable City." She pledged to continue diligently promoting various happiness and livability policies to meet citizens' expectations and recognition.

Unable to attend today due to council inquiries, Mayor Lu received congratulations from council members for the city's achievement. At the council, she noted that Taichung's municipal administration has consistently improved, advancing from third place last year to first place nationally this year. She expressed deep gratitude to civil servants' efforts, council members' budget allocation assistance, and citizens' support and recognition.

Deputy Mayor Zhao-Xin Cheng, representing Mayor Lu at the award ceremony, highlighted that this is Taichung's first victory in the survey's 13-year history. This survey is the largest nationwide, carrying high credibility and influence. Adhering to the principle of "citizens as family," Mayor Lu has actively promoted various happiness policies. Citizens' willingness to establish their lives in Taichung and connect their careers, lives, and futures with the city serve as crucial happiness indicators. The city will continue enhancing citizens' happiness by establishing Taichung as the capital of livability and happiness.

Taichung excelled in both government statistics and public opinion survey results. In government statistics, the city ranked high in indicators such as low violent crime rates, population with higher education degrees, and disposable income. In public opinion, satisfaction with educational achievement, health conditions, and work-life balance ranked first nationally, contributing to Taichung's victory in the happiness index.

The Police Bureau reported that Taichung's violent crime rate per 100,000 people is 0.56 (second lowest among special municipalities), down from 0.60 last year. All 16 violent crime cases have been solved this year, achieving a 100% clearance rate. The Economic Development Bureau noted that according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' latest statistics, Taichung has maintained at least four top rankings in company and business registrations for 14 consecutive quarters. Under the Ministry's "Three Major Investment in Taiwan Programs," Taichung attracted 322 companies, the highest among special municipalities.

The Education Bureau emphasized the government's focus on children's education, actively establishing schools in emerging population areas and implementing the "Give Children an Auditorium" project, allocating over NT$2.4 billion to build auditoriums for 25 elementary and junior high schools. This year's "Growing with You" initiative replaced fixed desks and chairs with adjustable ones in all city schools, creating optimal learning environments. The Social Affairs Bureau highlighted the city's investment in social welfare resources, including the "Public Childcare Multiplication" and "District Parent-Child Centers" policies, providing an ideal environment for young parents. Taichung offers the lowest public childcare fees among special municipalities at NT$1,500 monthly.

The Health Bureau pioneered various public health initiatives, including smart food safety inspections, the nation's only comprehensive vaccine online appointment system, and the first "Long-term Care Real-time APP," earning widespread praise for creating a physically and mentally friendly community environment.

The 2024 County and City Happiness Survey's framework references the OECD's Regional Well-Being Index, commonly used internationally to measure regional or urban happiness. The survey incorporates government statistics from various national agencies and conducted telephone interviews with 15,249 valid samples across 22 counties and cities between September 9 and October 27, 2024. This satisfaction survey represents the largest and most comprehensive local study nationwide.

Today's press conference was attended by Taichung Deputy Mayor Zhao-Xin, Cheng, Yunlin County Magistrate Li-Shan Chang, Chiayi City Mayor Ming-Hui Huang, Taipei Deputy Mayor Yi-Hua Lin, Taoyuan Mayor San-Cheng Chang, Hualien County Magistrate Chen-Wei Hsu, Chiayi County Deputy Magistrate Pei-Tung Liu, Cathay Life Insurance General Manager Shang-Chi Liu, and Economic Daily News President Yong-Ping Liu.