Ambassador Tung Chen-yuan in Thailand led a delegation to visit Changhua to learn more about the medical tourism there. The delegates, which included Taiwanese merchants in Thailand, Thai reporters, and internet celebrities, visited Changhua Christian Hospital to investigate medical matters and visit the county for sightseeing purposes. Magistrate Wei Ming-ku attended and expressed his warm welcome. He expected that with the mutual exchange and benefits, it is possible to promote tourism through a variety of aspects. Since the central government waived the visa for Thai people to visit Taiwan, the number of Thai visitors soared. Last year (2017), there were about 300 thousand Thai visitors coming to Taiwan; the number has increased by 50% compared to 2016. This year, our goal will be 350 thousand visitors.
Magistrate Wei expressed that Changhua Christian Hospital is ranked as one of the five major medical systems. In the aspects of software and hardware, it tops the ranking in both medical equipment and medical technology. In recent years, it collaborates with the central government’s New Southbound Policy to promote international medical services. In China and ASEAN countries, it has established various bases, regarding as an international hospital. Being the glory of Changhua, it one of the foremost hospitals in Taiwan.
Magistrate Wei pointed out that in addition to the excellent medical system, Changhua is also the earliest developed city in Taiwan. If people want to understand more about Taiwanese culture, Lukang in Changhua Count is the top choice. Three hundred years ago, Lukang was the first commercial port developed in Taiwan. It has many historic monuments and many well-preserved folk culture and folk craft. More importantly, there are many gourmet snacks. These are all Changhua’s tacit and explicit cultural assets. The year before, Lukang changed the time for holding the Dragon Boat Festival to nighttime. Along the Fulu River, many glamorous LED lights decorated the banks. It seemed like a huge outdoor theatre, attracting many visitors to come here. He expected that with the fusion of medicine and culture, it is possible to allow Changhua to get out and have the world come in.
Ambassador Tung Chen-yuan expressed that Changhua Christian Hospital is famous for its medical technology in the international arena. In the process of promoting the New Southbound Policy, medicine and hygiene are one of the five flagship plans. With the mutual cooperation between Taiwan and Thailand, they will collaborate to promote international medical healthcare. On this trip, he has invited Taiwanese merchants to come back and experience their health checks as well as the advanced and convenient medical services. In the future, he will promote the communication among the international medical centers in Taiwan. With IDs of any communication software, it is possible consult with Taiwan. In the future, he will further establish a Taiwan-Thailand medical healthcare service platform to provide more exchange services among the hospitals and medical schools in Taiwan and Thailand.
Taiwan’s international medical service is ranked the third in the world, with significant advantages. In the aspects of internationalization and marketing, the Representative Offices overseas with give essential help to promote it further. Taiwanese merchants dedicate themselves in promoting their businesses. Changhua Christian Hospital and Taiwan’s medical healthcare system are enthusiastic in taking care of their health so that they can fully engaged in upgrading their businesses. It is the competitive advantages of Taiwan’s medical healthcare as well as the future goal for further promotion.
Chief Medical Director Hsieh Ming-chia expressed that services must be provided through platforms, the more convenient the better. Therefore, he co-developed an app with a manufacturer. This app will be rich in content and is equipped with communication software that makes it very convenient to use. In the future, they are going to fuse the two to provide a medical tool that is even friendlier to users. That way, they can have more complete and continuous medical care. It is because individuals can use their smartphones and click the app. Then, all the data will be right there. Each Taiwanese merchant will have his or her own all-round personal manager. In addition, the health secretary can remind them of when should they take medical checkup and even enter the dates into their calendars, helping them to pay attention to their health conditions.
As the medical and healthcare exchange is the highlight of the “New Southbound Policy” and the “Five Flagship Plans” promoted by the central government, the visit of the Health Management Center and Remote Healthcare Center for Diabetes at Changhua Christian Hospital will be helpful in promoting connections and cooperation between the medical industry in Taiwan and Thailand, promoting Taiwan’s high-end medical service and intelligent medical technology to Thailand.
Changhua developed at a very early time, being the origin of the developmental history in central Taiwan. Changhua County endeavors to promote the major tourism policy – “Lukang National Historic and Scenic Area.” In Lukang Town, many of the historic monuments and historic architectures are preserved in good conditions. Each of them has its artisanship and values. There are many artisans and national treasures living here to engage themselves in the education and preservation of traditional craft. We can say that it is an important origin of the traditional culture in Taiwan history. With the accomplishments in different domains, including handicraft, traditional opera, art, and more, it is the heart of Taiwan culture.
In this trip, the Thai delegates visited Lukang Old Street, Ribbon Museum, Taiwan Glass Gallery, Glass Mazu Temple, and other renowned scenic spots. They were also invited to a Lukang snack feast and check-in to the famous hotel Lukang Villa Spa. It was hoped that with the visit of Thai media, it provided more opportunities for Thai people to understand more about Changhua and promote its international profile.
In addition, to medicine tourism, Changhua also promotes sports and sightseeing, such as the Lukang Dragon Boat Festival – International Dragon Boat Race, marathon, and other activities. Promoting health, LOHAS, and sports activities, we would like to invite local and international friends to visit Changhua to open up more trade opportunities for sports tourism. We are eager to introduce Taiwan’s magnificent landscape and hospitality to the world.
Many honorable guests participated in the event, including Deputy Director-General Hsu Chun-hung of the City and Tourism Department, Changhua County Government, Director Chen Mu-kuan and Deputy Director Chou Chi-chung, and Chief Medical Director Hsieh Ming-chia of Changhua Christian Hospital, legislators, councilors, and other members on the delegates group.

Source: Changhua County Government Official Websites
Contact Person: Chief Li, Department of City and Tourism, Changhua County Government (04-7112175 Ext. 20)