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After more than 2 years of construction, the new Eastern Caotun Rest Area along National Highway NO. 6 was officially opened on July 13th. County Mayor Hsu ShuHua attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and expressed her gratitude to the Freeway Bureau, MOTC for revitalizing the land used for toll station to build a small but fully functional rest area on it. The rest area is not only a place for travelers to take a break, but also a new featured attraction and an important base for marketing the county's high-quality agricultural and specialty products. It is planned to cooperate with surrounding tourist attractions in the future to facilitate regional development effectively.

The opening ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of the 13th was presided over by Cho JungTai, Premier of Executive Yuan, and attended by Legislator Ma WenChun, Yu Hao and Loh MeeiLing, Li MenYen, Minister of Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and heads of other relative ministries. In addition, County Councilors Tang XiaoFen, Liao ZiYo and Tsai MingHsuan, Jian JingXian, Chief of Caotun Township, and other guests presented to participate.

The opening ceremony kicked off with the performance of lion dance team and the sound of war drums. After the project briefing offered by Jaw ShingHau, Director General of Freeway Bureau, MOTC, County Mayor Hsu accompanied Premier Cho to inspect the toilet in the rest area for its diversity and friendly environment. Premier Cho expressed his satisfaction with the overall planning and service spaces, which positively offer travelers with better travel services.

     According to County Mayor Hsu, the traffic volume of National Highway No. 6 has increased significantly since it was opened in 2009. The new rest area is not only a featured attraction along National Highway No. 6, but also a comfortable place for the rest and relaxation of travelers visiting attractions within Nantou County. County Mayor Hsu specially expressed her gratitude to the Freeway Bureau, MOTC for providing a venue for local smallholder farmers in Nantou to sell agricultural products in their stalls. Moreover, the Tasting Nantou (品味南投) branded series of products, released by the Nantou County Government, are allowed to hit the store shelves in the rest area, which is a great contribution to facilitate regional tourism development and promote local agricultural products.

After that, County Mayor Hsu accompanied Premier Cho, together with Legislator Loh MeeiLing and Yu Hao, Chen JunneJih, Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Yao ShihYano, Director General of Agriculture and Food Agency, and County Councilors Wang ChiuShu and Chen YuLin, to visit the Nantou Tan Liao Fruits and Vegetables Marketing Cooperatives (田寮果菜運銷合作社) in JiJi Township, the export orchard in Taiwan that successfully exported red dragon fruit to Japan in the first batch, to learn on the spot about the cultivating status of red dragon fruit. Su TengChao, head of the Fruit and Flower Industry Division at the Agriculture and Food Agency (農糧署果樹及花卉產業組), gave a briefing on Taiwan's red dragon fruit industry status, the quarantine consultation process of red dragon fruit exported to Japan, and industry guidance measures. Liu MengHsing, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Nantou Tan Liao Fruits and Vegetables Marketing Cooperatives, afterwards, stated the management directions for red dragon fruit export orchard. Then, he leaded the group to the orchard to experience fruit picking and learn about the related agricultural processed products.

According to County Mayor Hsu, the red dragon fruit planting area in Nantou County reaches 504 hectares, accounting for 20% of Taiwan planting area, and the annual output is 11,233 tonnes, ranking first in Taiwan. The main production areas are Zhushan Township, Jiji Township and Mingjian Township whose large temperature difference between day and night brings the red dragon fruit a unique flavor. Premier Cho appreciated the Cooperatives for its assistance in achieving smooth export of red dragon fruit, and conveyed the promise of the Government to protect the rights and interests of farmers, preventing the fruits that they have put a lot of efforts from being infringed.