Minister Gu added that she is overjoyed and proud as a Kaohsiung native herself, expressing gratitude towards Mayor Chen and his city government team. New urban sceneries and buildings await in every return visit, including the Panhua Park born this day. Formerly a space for public leisure and entertainment, it is now integrating Hakka design elements so that these are not only familiar sights to Hakka people but culture approachable to anyone in daily life.
In order to meet the goals of net zero by 2050 and environmental sustainability, the Panhua Park, adjacent to Kaohsiung’s Love River, will incorporate eco-friendly, low-maintenance plants to remediate the grave soil salinization in the former Sanmin No. 1 Park. It will also be embellished with Hakka motifs. In his speech, Mayor Chen spoke Hakka to thank HAC for the funding provided. The groundbreaking ceremony is a major occasion for the Hakka people of Kaohsiung. Panhua (literally “flowers on plates”) carries special traditional significance to the Hakka of southern Taiwan, all of whom are filled with excitement for the park’s completion in May next year (2025).