Hsinchu: The Hsinchu City government on Saturday began distributing a one-off NT$5,000 (US$159) cash payment to Taiwanese nationals who are residents registered in the city as part of efforts to boost local consumption.

According to Focus Taiwan, the handout was distributed at 361 designated locations across the city from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mayor Kao Hung-an stated that about NT$1.925 billion in cash was prepared for the distribution, with around 2,000 personnel mobilized across city agencies, and preparations began a day earlier. Kao noted that the distribution process was running smoothly by midday, with order maintained at all locations.

Chang Sheng-hsiung, chief of the investigation section at Hsinchu City Police Bureau's First Precinct, reported that officers were deployed to patrol the handout sites, and no disputes were noted at any locations. Bureau Director-General Chen Yuan-hui mentioned that officers also used the occasion to raise awareness of fraud prevention to curb potential criminal activity.

According to the city government, the NT$5,000 handout is limited to Hsinchu residents who are also Republic of China (Taiwan) citizens. Those eligible who missed the distribution can apply digitally through the "Hsinchu Pass" app starting Jan. 30 to receive an additional NT$100 bonus. For in-person collection, residents have until March 31 to pick up the cash at local district offices.