Hsieh made the pledge while visiting a workshop in the southern port city of Kaohsiung’s Chienchen district dedicated to helping foreign spouses adapt to local customs and lifestyle.

Most of the foreign spouses in the Chienchen district come from such Southeast Asian countries as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Those attending language and culture classes at the workshop sang Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese folk songs and ballads to welcome Hsieh.

Hsieh said he had spared no efforts to improve services for foreign spouses during his tenure as mayor of Kaohsiung.

“Foreign spouses are like our daughters or daughters-in-law. They deserve our respect and equal treatment. We should make every possible efforts to make them feel at home. They are likely to be the mother of future city councilors, legislators and even presidents,” Hsieh said.

As many foreign spouses are in a disadvantaged status, Hsieh said the government is obligated to help them resolve their issues and adapt to their lives here, particularly those related to their residency status, citizenship and working rights.

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