The Hsinchu city government signed an agreement with international lighting firm Cree to become the first LED city in Taiwan on June 14. Cree launched the "LED City Program" in 2006, and with the addition of Hsinchu, there are currently 25 cities participating in the project.

Despite the recent downturn in financial performance, Cree remains optimistic about the development of the LED lighting market due to recent announcements of energy policies in Japan, the US, South Korea and China that will encourage the growth of the industry. Cree believes the lighting market will shine in second half of 2011.

Cree has been focusing on high-efficiency LED lighting products and emphasizing brightness, life span and stability of its products, allowing the firm to differentiate itself from other competitors.

According to Cree, the cooperation with Hsinchu City can bring a better quality of life to citizens. Cree will assist the Hsinchu City government in providing the latest LED lighting technologies to brighten the city while conserving energy.

Hsinchu mayor, Hsu Ming-Tsai, stated that the city plans to complete the replacement of 35,000 streetlights with LED lights before 2014. The 609 LED streetlights installed in 2010 have already reduced carbon emissions by 15,160 tons.

Many cities in North America, Europe and Asia are already members of Cree's "LED City Program".