Now that the Kuokuang petrochemical project is suspended for good, some residents believe that the local community will lose employment opportunities and competitiveness.

To ease their concern, the Minister of Council for Economic Planning and Development, Christina Liu, paid a visit to Dacheng area to meet with them.

Liu advised them to start focusing on developing the horticultural and biotech industry, which can boost the economic development while protecting the environment.

Council for Economic Planning and Development minister Christina Liu paid a visit to the Dacheng wetland at the estuary of the Chosuei River.

This was the Kuokuang Petrochemical Plant's designated site.

But since the plan is cancelled, a world-class wetland park may be the replacement.

The town chief shows his opposition, saying that the town is really remote and the residents were hoping the development plan would bring in the much needed job opportunities and boost local development.

Local residents say the soil here is ecologically insufficient to be a national wetland park, which may even affect local industries.

But apparently environmentalists can't agree with his views.

Christina Liu believes the top priorities now should be the traffic and flooding problems.

So she suggests the town to develop high-end flower agricultural industry and bio-tech industry that would require low water consumption.