Citizens of Kaohsiung are justifiably proud over the elevation of their city to the status of a special municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan on July 1. With a population of more than a million, Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan is the island's second city, the largest port, and the principal center of heavy industry. The change in status, which gives Kaohsiung more control over its finances and management, is designed to fit in with its needs at the present moment, assist modernization and improve citizens' living standards.

Originally known as Takou, the city was renamed Kaohsiung in 1920. Archaeological research has revealed artifacts which show that prehistoric settlements in the Kaohsiung area had a close connection with the Yang Shao culture of Honan and the Lung Shan culture of Shangtung.

The earliest attempt by the Chinese to open up the city occurred during the Chia Chin period of the Ming dynasty, when Ta-yu chased pirates to Mt. Takou near Kaohsiung. By 1624, when the Dutch invaded the island, the Kaohsiung area was already populated by immigrants from the China mainland. Fisheries and trade both prospered, since not only was Kaohsiung the best port in southwest Taiwan, but it also had a large area of land nearby which could be developed.

The Manchus conquered the island in 1683, and the next year made it a prefecture of Fukien province. Kaohsiung was transferred to the jurisdiction of Fengshan County. A record of Kaohsiung's geographical names, people, products, customs, relics, history and so on, first appeared in the Fengshan Hsien Chih (or annals) in 1719.

After Taiwan was restored to the Republic of China on Oct. 25, 1945, it was once again administered as a province. In accordance with government policy over the past 34 years, Kaohsiung has made rapid progress in politics, economy, culture, education and social advancement, as well as in overall development.

Kaohsiung city is at the same latitude as Hong Kong, and therefore more tropical than Taipei. It has one of the world's best harbors, with seven wharves for container vessels. A newly opened second harbor entrance can accommodate ships up to 75,000 tons. Products exported from 2,200 factories located in the neighborhood include plastics, paper and pulp, cement, iron and steel, plywood, textiles, machine tools and a wide variety of electrical machinery. The bay area covers 16.5 million square meters.

Import and export cargoes can be delivered quickly and efficiently between Taipei and Kaohsiung, which lie at the northern and southern ends of the North-South Railroad. A newly completed freeway running parallel (one of the 10 major construction projects) is also an important communications link between the two cities. An airport provides both domestic and international services, while in the city itself are adequate municipal buses and taxis. Kaohsiung is at the hub of communications in southern Taiwan.

The land area of Kaohsiung city was formerly 114 square kilometers, and the population 1,070,000. With the inclusion of Hsiaokang village as part of the elevation in status, the special municipality has an area of 152 square kilometers and a population of 1,140,000. Plans have already been announced for the inclusion of more nearby towns and villages by the year 1981.

About two-thirds of the newly included Hsiaokang village, where two of Taiwan's three export processing zones are located, has been designated as an industrial area. The China Shipbuilding Corp. Yard has the second biggest dry dock in the world, where tankers of the 445,000-ton class have been constructed. The Chinese Petroleum Corp. complex refines crude oil and turns out a number of materials for use by Taiwan's petrochemical industry. In addition, the China Steel Corp. Mill, Taiwan Aluminum Corp. and Taiwan Machinery Manufacturing Corp. have increased the city's annual taxes by US$5.5 million. Many public facilities such as roads, parks and public recreation centers will be established under the direction of the new city government.

Apart from its contribution to the industry of Taiwan, Kaohsiung is also noted for its cultural activities, such as art exhibitions, concerts and folk dance displays. Several music halls, museums, and libraries are being rebuilt or expanded. At present, there are two colleges, four junior colleges, 18 senior high schools and vocational schools, 22 junior high schools and 57 elementary schools in the city. A new university is also planned.

Taiwan's southernmost west coast city is not forgetting its cultural heritage. Many buildings are in classical Chinese style, while others, such as the President Department Store, biggest in the Far East outside Japan, incorporate the most modern architectural concepts. The Love River courses through the center of the city, while in the outskirts is the Cheng Ching Lake, a favorite place for outings. Tree-lined boulevards, sidewalks paved with red tiles, traffic islands decorated with multicolored flowers, and churches, temples and mosques catering to all religions, have all combined to make Kaohsiung a beautiful city.

Kaohsiung has become Taiwan's second biggest city not only because of its economic prosperity, but also because it is a pleasant place to live. City mayor Wang Yu-yun, born in 1925, has been a city councilman, deputy Speaker of the council, and Speaker. He was elected as mayor in 1973 and re-elected in 1977. With his character, talent and diligence, he should be able to lead Kaohsiung to a promising future.