Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Mayor Hau Lung-bin attended the opening ceremony of the “2010 West Town Summer Craze Festival” on July 30. He described Ximending as Taipei’s “golden diamond,” relentless in leading the trend and reinventing teenage culture. Recalling memories from his youth, Hau said he would wander around Ximending window-shopping or enjoying the cool air-conditioning almost everyday– to the point his friends nicknamed him ding (“town”) chief. The mayor announced that the streets in the vicinity will be closed for the street fair and festivities for three days. Visitors will find a number of bargains and sales at local shops, with discounts going as high as 90 percent. He hopes that everyone will have a great time at the street fair, immersing themselves in the youthful and energetic atmosphere of the district. During the opening ceremony, the mayor wrote the character Chao (“tide”) on a white fan with a Chinese writing brush, symbolizing the essence of Ximending’s culture. He noted that the character could represent both tides of people, as well as tides of prosperity. The mayor also took the opportunity to offer his prayers at the Matsu temple on Chendu Road. Along the way, he shook hands with the crowd and spent his time visiting clothing shops and cosmetic boutiques in the commercial district.