# Zhubei City market renovation controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zhubei-city-market-renovation-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-18T11:28:58.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Political controversy has emerged in Zhubei City, Taiwan, regarding the fiscal management of the Zhubei East District Market renovation project. Critics, including mayoral candidate Chiu Chen-yuan and Hsinchu County Councilor Lin Shuo-yen, have pointed to a significant decline in the city’s accumulated surplus, which reportedly dropped from 3.19 billion TWD in 2022 to approximately 1.7 billion TWD by the end of 2025.

A central point of contention is the project budget, which critics claim surged from 550 million TWD to 1.4 billion TWD following Mayor Cheng Chao-fang’s decision to redesign the market after taking office in late 2022. The new design, intended to increase the floor area ratio through a multi-story waterfront concept, has been accused of causing four years of stagnation and wasting over 10 million TWD in construction materials.

While opponents characterize the redesign as a “dynasty-style” governance approach that discards previous plans for political marks, the Zhubei City Office maintains the overhaul was necessary because the original plan utilized only 30% of the available floor area ratio. As of 2026, the project remains in the bidding preparation stage, having missed its original completion target of September 2024.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Zhu Bei East District Market faces budget and delay controversy

Hsinchu County Councilor Lin Shuo-yen criticized the Zhu Bei East District Market project for budget increases from 550 million to 1.4 billion TWD and significant construction delays.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zhu-bei-east-district-market-faces-budget-and-delay-controversy

### 2026-09-16: Zhubei City market project budget surges from 550M to 1.4B TWD

Political candidates in Zhubei are criticizing Mayor Cheng Chao-fang over a budget surge from 550 million to 1.4 billion TWD for a market renovation and a significant decline in city fiscal surpluses.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zhubei-city-market-project-budget-surges-from-550m-to-14b-twd

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Cite as: Zhubei City market renovation controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zhubei-city-market-renovation-controversy