Some just went out of business; others moved to mainland China. The economy of Taichung has been steadily declining, and local officials have felt the pinch. Nevertheless, they are hopeful that future designation as a free port could turn things around.
然而，這個理想尚未落實，台中海線一帶四、五百家的中小企業已一家家關門，不是高掛「暫停營業」的牌子，就是搬到中國大陸去了，台中地區的經濟日趨蕭條，地方首長看在眼裡、痛在心裡。