TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) told the city council on Wednesday that the city will remove the west boundary wall of Kaohsiung International Airport to allow unobstructed views of aircraft landings, per CNA.

Chen made the comments after independent Kaohsiung City Councilor Lee Shun-chin (李順進) suggested the city paint a mural on the west wall to make the airport’s gateway more visually appealing. Lee noted that the north boundary wall already features murals commissioned by the Tourism Bureau, while the west wall resembles a “prison wall.”

Lee said motorists often caught in traffic along Zhongshan Road might appreciate a mural highlighting Kaohsiung’s unique features and top tourist attractions.

Chen responded that a plan is already in place to demolish the wall in January, saying direct views of aircraft landings would be far more attractive than painted imagery. “Painting planes on the wall is not as good as watching them,” he said.

He added that the city has consulted with the Civil Aviation Administration and expects demolition to be completed in January. Chen did not rule out adding murals to adjacent walls to improve the area’s aesthetics.

Later in the session, Chen addressed questions about his political future as his mayoral term ends next year. KMT Kaohsiung City Councilor Huang Shao-ting (黃紹庭) asked whether Chen might leave for a central government position before completing his term.

Chen said he intends to serve until the final day of his tenure. “I will do my best to complete my term until the very last day. This is my job,” he said.