Lai Jui-long Connects Old Markets with New Industries! From Yan Cheng's Red Tortoise Cakes to the Zuoying-Nanzi Tech Corridor, Advancing Kaohsiung's Next Phase

From a single red tortoise cake in Yancheng’s old market to the development blueprint for semiconductor industry clusters in Zuoying and Nanzi, Democratic Progressive Party Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Jui-long visited multiple sites of urban culture and industrial development yesterday (20). In the morning, he joined Vice President萧美琴 in making red tortoise cakes at Yancheng No. 1 Public Market, discussing youth succession and city international marketing. In the afternoon, at the "Zuoying-Nanzi Support Association Oath-taking and Nanzi District Support Association Launch Ceremony," he proposed three directions—industry, transportation, and lifestyle—outlining Kaohsiung’s next-stage vision that integrates traditional culture, youth creativity, and technology industries.

Lai stated that Yancheng was born from the port and historically served as a vital gateway connecting Kaohsiung to the world. He emphasized that moving forward, Kaohsiung’s stories must be seen globally, weaving traditional culture with youth creativity to create a new urban landscape. For Zuoying and Nanzi, he stressed that industrial transformation outcomes should directly improve employment, transportation, childcare, long-term care, and quality of life, ensuring technological advancement aligns with citizens’ daily lives.

In the morning, Lai invited Vice President萧美琴 to visit “Shi Hao Guo Da Fu Guo” at Yancheng No. 1 Public Market to make red tortoise cakes, joined by legislators Qiu Yiying, city councilors Jian Huanzong and Li Qiaoru. Established in 1949, the market now boasts 77 years of history. After renovation, it preserved the traditional wooden roof and cultural memories while attracting young vendors. It even won a Silver Award from the U.S. Muse Design Awards, becoming a space where traditional markets merge with design and youth entrepreneurship.

萧美琴, during her tenure as Taiwan’s Representative to the U.S., used Taiwanese delicacies like red tortoise cakes and bubble tea to engage international friends. Lai specially arranged this hands-on experience to launch a global outreach effort starting from one red tortoise cake, aiming to bring Kaohsiung’s traditional flavors to the world.

“Shi Hao Guo Da Fu Guo” continues a traditional rice cake-making technique passed down by a grandmother from Neimen, Kaohsiung, for over 30 years. Now managed by a younger generation, it preserves authentic flavors while innovating in ingredients and presentation. Under the guidance of the fourth-generation successor,萧美琴 and Lai participated in every step—from filling, shaping, molding, to steaming.萧美琴’s finished product had clear patterns, with the skin naturally colored using dragon fruit, prompting her to exclaim, "So beautiful!" Lai’s larger-sized cake earned him the playful nickname "Long Cat Cake" from萧美琴.

While waiting for the cakes to steam, attendees listened to the fourth-generation owner share the shop’s legacy story. Lai remarked that a single red tortoise cake carries not only craftsmanship from past generations but also serves as a canvas for youth to express international creativity. He hopes that with stronger support for youth entrepreneurship and international exchange, more young people in Kaohsiung can connect globally.

Lai introduced the "Dreams in the South: Xiong Qing Wu Li Flagship Plan," aiming to strengthen youth entrepreneurship and international exchange support, giving youth creativity greater room to flourish and enhancing Kaohsiung’s cultural and urban brand visibility beyond industry.

Later that afternoon, Lai held the Zuoying-Nanzi Support Association Oath-taking and Nanzi District Support Association Launch Ceremony. Led by Li Qingzan, head of the Zuoying-Nanzi Support General Association, supporters from Zuoying, Daxinzhuang, Youchang, Houjing, Nanzikeng, Tuku, Yuanchung Lantian, and other areas gathered in solidarity. Lai positioned Zuoying and Nanzi as crucial zones for Kaohsiung’s industrial transformation, proposing three development directions: industry, transportation, and lifestyle.

Lai noted that in the past, Nanzi was associated with export processing zones, industrial parks, and the Kaohsiung Refinery. Today, the former refinery site has transformed into the Nanzi Industrial Park, with TSMC’s entry and supply chain companies following suit. Zuoying-Nanzi has become a key node in southern Taiwan’s Semiconductor S-Corridor. The National Inter-University Research and Education Park for Key Fields in Zuoying hosts National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, cultivating talent in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and net-zero technologies. Lai views these industrial layouts and talent initiatives as foundational for Kaohsiung’s next phase of industrial upgrading.

On industry, Lai plans to expand advanced processes, packaging and testing, equipment materials, and R&D capabilities centered on Nanzi Park. By integrating academic resources from NTHU and NYCU, he aims to build a more complete industrial cluster, increasing job opportunities and wages so more youth can stay and grow in Kaohsiung.

For transportation, Lai highlighted that the northern section of New Provincial Highway 17 is already open, with southern construction ongoing. He pledged full completion and will push for approval and implementation of the Purple Line MRT to connect major nodes including Zuoying HSR Station, National University of Kaohsiung, Nanzi Industrial Park, and Qiaotou Science Park, meeting commuting and industrial transport demands in northern Kaohsiung.

On lifestyle, Lai emphasized public childcare centers, kindergartens, parenting and fertility support, and long-term care services. He noted that the Nanzikeng Sports Center opened this year, while Houjing Creek remediation, drainage improvements, Lotus Pond area developments, and military dependents’ village cultural preservation continue. His goal is to transform Zuoying-Nanzi from an industrial hub into a livable area combining employment, transportation, leisure, and quality of life.

Lai emphasized that Kaohsiung’s industrial transformation results from sustained investments by central and local governments and continuous efforts by previous municipal teams. The next phase must not only upgrade industries but also ensure technological benefits reach everyday citizens. Urban projects and major infrastructure require steady, relay-style progress. Building on existing foundations, he will advance industry, transportation, and quality of life in tandem.

Li Qingzan, President of the Zuoying-Nanzi Support General Association, stated that stable governance is essential for future progress. He hopes Lai succeeds Chen Chi-mai and secures a legislative majority to serve as a strong backing for policy implementation.

Legislator Li Baiyi expressed that mayors from Hsieh Chang-ting to Chen Chu and Chen Chi-mai have continuously driven Kaohsiung’s transformation. He expects Lai to take the "crucial fourth baton" and sustain momentum. He urged residents to support the four DPP-endorsed council candidates, noting that council seats influence policy and budget advancement.

Huang Wenzhi, Li Yahui, He Quanfeng, Huang Yenyu, and council candidates Yin Li and Zhang Yili attended to show support. Yin Li said he will continue focusing on cultural and educational issues, while Zhang Yili emphasized childcare, early childhood education, and family support policies.

From a red tortoise cake carrying decades of tradition in Yancheng Market to semiconductor clusters and transportation infrastructure in Zuoying-Nanzi, Lai stated that future Kaohsiung must balance tradition and innovation, culture and industry, urban development and citizen needs—providing youth with stages, industries with growth, and the city with global visibility—to continuously drive its next phase of transformation.