TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taitung County’s Luye Township has rolled out a new plan that gives NT$20,000 (US$630) a year to each child ages 1–6 in a bid to boost local birth rates.

CNA reported Thursday that Luye Township Mayor Li Wei-shun (李維順) said the plan took effect Thursday, with the money paid out as an annual birthday gift. Li said families must be registered in Luye and meet township requirements to qualify.

The mayor made the announcement during a flag-raising ceremony at the Luye Township Office plaza. The event featured live music, dance performances, and an Indigenous blessing ceremony led by local tribal leaders.

UDN reported Thursday that the township office also set up a small market with 16 food and craft stalls and handed out NT$150 vouchers to attendees to use on site. Small gifts such as flags, caps, and spring couplets were also given to residents.

Li said the child payments are meant to ease the cost of raising children and give young couples more confidence to start families. He added that the township has also raised Double Ninth Festival cash gifts for residents ages 65 and older as part of broader welfare support.