Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Thursday the original railings were “ugly” and embarrassing, but said the bridge’s construction quality and safety met standards. Chen said the city would continue making adjustments and should accept public criticism of public works projects.

The playground, built inside part of the former Taiwan Railways Kaohsiung Workshop, is scheduled to open Aug. 8. The main recreation area covers about 1.5 hectares and includes more than 30 attractions, according to city officials and local reports.

The former TRA workshop is an important part of Kaohsiung’s industrial history. The city said the redevelopment project is intended to preserve railway heritage while turning the site into a public space for recreation, culture, and family activities.

Polls have varied widely. In early June, one had Lai at 45% and Ko trailing at 25%. Not long after, another poll put Lai at 40.3% and Ko at 39.7%. The spread between those results highlights how unreliable polling can be, and the latest poll is better read as evidence that the race may be tightening.

Taiwanese singer Jeannie Hsieh (謝金燕) visited the Seoul edition of Waterbomb music festival ahead of her planned appearance at Waterbomb Kaohsiung 2026 in September, organizers said.

The event used the theme “From Demo to Deal,” meaning the focus was not just on whether a product works, but whether a startup can turn that product into investment, commercial partnerships, and overseas sales. That is often the part where Taiwan’s startups struggle the most.

The bridge drew criticism in recent days after residents said the red railings along the bridge deck resembled Japanese torii gates. Others raised safety concerns, saying the gaps between the railings appeared too wide. The city’s New Construction Office said the open railing design was chosen to preserve views of the Love River, but contractors have since repainted the railings white and started installing protective netting.

The event will proceed as scheduled on August 1 and 2. For more information, please visit the Kaohsiung Travel website or the ‘FUN Cijin’ Facebook page

Kaohsiung’s rebuilt Jiuru Bridge (九如橋) has drawn criticism online after residents compared the nearly finished bridge with earlier project renderings, according to a report in the China Times.

Startup World Cup Kaohsiung segment finishes with panel of experts telling local firms hoping to enter international markets to question familiar assumptions and seek advice beyond their existing professional circles.