Second Eviction of Treasure Hill
Taipei City Government proceeded with the second eviction of Treasure Hill to undertake a two-year renovation project that aims at preserving the cultural community on January 30. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin commented during a press conference that negotiation between the Treasure Hill residents and the city government has been ongoing since the latter proposed the renovation. The majority of the legal residents have been compensated and relocated into temporary lodgings; however, some people, opposing the plan, have refused to vacate. Hau continued that the second eviction was an inevitable and a necessary measure. Those who were evicted from the twelve units were not legitimate residents of the community. With the prosecutor’s permission, two hundred city police officers began eviction at 6:30 a.m., and by 7:25 a.m. the process was completed. Electricity supply was also cut off to aid in the eviction. Regarding protestors who resisted and staged a sit-in at Treasure Hill during the eviction, Hau asserted that he respected their views and freedom of speech. He hoped that the matter could be resolved under mutual respect in a legal and non-violent manner. Surveillance systems have been placed around the premise for security reasons until the renovation is complete. According to Lee Yong-ping, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DOCA), the renovation project will preserve and reinvigorate the historical community. The changes are expected to be finished in 2009, including reorganizing the derelict houses and sewage pipelines. DOCA also assured the residents that they will be allowed to return to Treasure Hill upon completion of the project.