Hualien County Gov. Launches Advisory Program to Build an Internationally Friendly Environment Ahead of Two Major 2026 Global Events

(中央社訊息服務20260420 10:14:43)The Hualien County Government announced yesterday (April 16) the launch of its 2026 Advisory Program for Building an Internationally Friendly Environment. The initiative aims to comprehensively strengthen the county’s capacity to welcome international visitors through enhanced bilingual services, digital information integration, and cross-cultural exchange. Residents and local businesses interested in participating are encouraged to watch for upcoming announcements. In 2026, Hualien will host two major international sporting events: the Club Crew World Championships (CCWC) and the International Children’s Games (ICG). These events represent a crucial opportunity to showcase the county’s international readiness and further advance Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei’s vision of “taking Hualien to the world, and bringing the world to Hualien.”

The county government noted that in 2025, broad-based progress was made across information infrastructure, business coaching, and cultural exchange. A total of 21 local businesses successfully completed bilingual upgrades, optimizing their menus and in-store signage. The county also hosted three international exchange forums featuring actor Rhydian Vaughan, Czech trail runner Petr Novotny, and state banquet chef Lin Jen-Chung. Through the lenses of film, outdoor sports, and culinary arts, these speakers inspired participants to explore Hualien’s international potential, with each session drawing over 100 attendees. Additionally, two immersive cultural experience events brought 51 international guests from 13 countries to visit local Indigenous communities and rural villages. These activities significantly boosted the global visibility of Hualien’s signature tourism events, including the Pacific Austronesian Joint Harvest Festival and the Hualien Hot Spring Festival. Together, these efforts have successfully elevated Hualien’s hospitality landscape, expanding from basic information accessibility to deeper cultural connection.

Building on this solid foundation, the county will expand its service capacity in 2026. Regarding business support, 20 enterprises will be selected for bilingual upgrades. A new series of scenario-based instructional videos will also be introduced to demonstrate practical Chinese-English dialogues in authentic hospitality settings. On the promotional front, Hualien will launch its first-ever “Seeing Hualien Through the World’s Eyes” international short-video competition, alongside two more exchange forums and three immersive cultural tours. By seamlessly linking local festivals with multicultural engagement, the county aims to make international exchange a genuine part of everyday life.

The Hualien County Government emphasized its continued commitment to three core strategies: bilingualization, digitalization, and internationalization. The ultimate goal is to ensure that internationally friendly services extend beyond the duration of the sporting events and become deeply rooted in the city’s daily life, making Hualien a highly livable, travel-friendly destination that global visitors will want to return to time and again. For the latest updates, the public is invited to follow the Hualien County Government’s Facebook page and the official website of the International Affairs and Press Center.