Distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends – good evening and thanks for coming out tonight. It’s an honor to welcome you today as we officially pre-launch the Kaohsiung Times, a new English-language website dedicated to telling Southern Taiwan’s story.
Why are we doing this? Put simply, the voices of Southern Taiwan are often overlooked.
I was born here, grew up in California, worked in finance across Asia, and over a decade ago, returned to Kaohsiung to build local businesses. For those of us who live and work here, Kaohsiung is more than a location—it is a source of inspiration, a hub of opportunity, and a community bound by shared dreams.
Over the years, I’ve seen Kaohsiung transform into a vibrant, resilient metropolis…. Yet, its progress is still underreported both nationally and internationally.
The Kaohsiung Times aims to change that. We want to bridge local stories with global audiences, providing timely news, thoughtful analysis, and features that highlight our region’s innovation, culture, and community spirit.
Kaohsiung is no longer just an industrial base; it’s a hub for innovation and opportunity. Let me give a few concrete examples:
Kaohsiung has been designated as a pilot zone for developing an Asian Asset Management Center. With the support of government policy, Kaohsiung now offers a more conducive environment for asset managers, investors, and financial institutions to thrive. With my own background in finance, I look forward to training the next generation to grow this sector here.
The Port of Kaohsiung:
Our port remains a global gateway, modernizing to stay competitive in shipping and logistics. My own past as a shipping analyst makes me proud to see Kaohsiung maintain its maritime strength.
Carbon Exchange:
In 2023, the TCX, Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange established its headquarters in the city, which marked a significant step toward innovations in sustainable development. By providing a platform for trading carbon credits and encouraging responsible environmental practices, the initiative is driving both ecological stewardship and economic innovation.
The City’s Concert Economy:
Kaohsiung’s Concert Economy has experienced rapid expansion, reflecting the region’s growing appeal as a destination for entertainment, cultural events, and international performances. Culture and commerce are reinforcing each other. Today you’ll hear from local DJ Subi. AmCham Kaohsiung’s Chair of International Relations, Cindy Wu, has a band Pleasure Island, which embodies Taiwan’s creative energy and can become a strong cultural ambassador for Kaohsiung as well. The synergy between culture and commerce is fostering new business opportunities and enriching the local community.
I believe that much of our future lies in developing better international partnerships, and I’m very pleased to see how Kaohsiung’s ties with the Philippines are deepening.
M1 International’s recent acquisition of the Maharlika Football Club shows how sports can open doors for trade, cultural exchange, and business. I’m delighted that CEO Denis Lucindo is here today as part of this collaboration. In addition to Denis, we also brought on Coach Hong Moon “Moondog”, a UK-trained, former football player and famous YouTuber in his native, South Korea for the team. These international partnerships are fostering new opportunities for cross-border trade, investment, and innovation, reinforcing Southern Taiwan’s role as a bridge for regional cooperation and as a gateway to Southeast Asian markets.
We’re going to trying something new: Kaohsiung Times will blend modern AI tools with experienced editors and local contributors.
AI will give us speed and breadth while our human team will ensure accuracy, balance, and integrity. Every article we put out will be fact-checked to the best of our ability and – because we have no government overlords nor are owned by some mega corporation with specific leanings or preferences — our content can and will be independent, fearless, and guided by those “old school” principles of ethical, non-politically biases, honest reporting… that reflects what’s really happening in Southern Taiwan.
Let me be clear: This is not just a news site. It’s a platform to connect people, a place to share stories, a site that shines a spotlight on opportunities and attracts investment – as well as showcases Kaohsiung to the world.
We invite you to engage with us: send us your ideas, challenge us with your feedback, and help us spotlight this remarkable city.
We hope this event this evening marks the start of something new… a platform for all of us who believe Southern Taiwan deserves a better global voice.
Thank you for your presence, your support, and your shared commitment to the future of Kaohsiung Times. Let us move forward together, united by curiosity, integrity, and a profound love for our city.
