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More than 2,000 dignitaries attended the elevation ceremonies. One of the principal addresses was given by Chang Hsiang-chuan (top) who retains his position as City Council speaker. A new municipal legislative body will be elected next year. The mayor formerly was elected but now is appointed by the President of the Republic. President Chiang Kai-shek named Henry Kao, a native of Taipei who had been elected to the office in 1964. The seat of the municipal government (bottom, decorated for the start of special city status) was an elementary school until 1945.
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Taipei is not an old city. One hundred and fifty years ago the hill-ringed site was swamp and forest land. Then it became a post for trade between aborigines and junks from the mainland sailing up the Tamsui River. Toward the end of the 19th century it surpassed the old capital of Tainan in the south and became the seat of government. Once the Inner City was walled; now only four of the original five gates remain. Small South Gate is seen above (top). New Park (bottom) is located in the heart of the busy downtown area and provides a quiet place for a promenade or contemplation of nature. There are tennis courts, bandstand, gardens, ponds, and Taiwan Historical Museum.
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The City Council building has 60 seats in its meeting chamber but will not need all of them after next year's election. The new special city law will reduce the council size to about 44. New equipment is going into service on the municipal bus line. One of the old buses is seen leading a procession with new vehicles behind. City routes total 50. The fare was raised recently but is still less than four U.S. cents. Servicemen and students get even lower rates. An ever-increasing volume of traffic is compelling Taipei to seek imaginative engineering solutions.
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The city's first three-level exchange is at Chungshan and Chungcheng Roads. The Presidential building was dedicated in 1915 and used as Japanese Governor-General's office until 1945. The tower was slightly damaged in Allied bombings during World War II. The Government Guest House has been requisitioned to serve as office space for the Foreign Ministry. It once was residence of Governor-General.
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Social services are already well developed in Taipei. The municipal hospital (top) is Taiwan's fourth largest. Government employees receive medical treatment under insurance program. Queue at Taipei Central Clinic is seen (bottom). However, the city's rapid growth has posed many problems that remain to be solved. Drainage is not sufficient to carry off heavy rains. The water supply is inadequate in summer and new wells are being drilled. Land is plentiful but costs are going up fast and hurting the housing program. Proliferation of scooters and motorcycles is complicating the traffic problem. Mayor Kao has promised that more rapid progress can be made as a result of the city's new status.