Four counties in Taiwan became history Dec. 25, 2010, when they were reclassified as special municipalities as a result of upgrade or mergers. On the eve of the historic day, many staff of the disappearing Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung county governments shed tears as they watched the signs of their old offices being replaced. The following are excerpts from the local media coverage of the issue: United Daily News: At 5 p.m. Dec. 24, Taichung County government staff and residents of the central county gathered at County Hall to observe the county flag being lowered for the last time. They sang the county anthem, some in tears. 'I have served in the county government for 30 years, from teenager to middle- aged woman, ' said caretaker Lin Mei-fen. County resident Wang Li-huei traveled from Dali Township to take part in the flag-lowering ceremony. 'I have never attended a flag-hoisting ceremony, so I thought I should be here for the last flag-lowering ritual,' she told reporters. In the southern county of Tainan, outgoing Magistrate Su Huan-chih hosted a farewell party at County Hall that evening. He said that 'Tainan County' will always stay in the hearts of its residents. Outgoing Kaohsiung Magistrate Yang Chiu-hsin bade a weeping farewell to every member of the county government staff before leaving County Hall, established 60 years ago. (Dec. 25, 2010). China Times: While the Kaohsiung county government was submerged in sorrow over its closure, street vendors in the county said they sensed no difference in the change of status. 'We still have to do business and live our lives, even though Kaohsiung County is gone,' said vendor Hsiao Kuo-yu. On the eve of its formal upgrading to a special municipality, Taipei County -- which will be renamed Xinbei after the upgrade -- attracted many people to County Hall to capture its last image. High-ranking staff were busy packing, since the new government has its own administrative team. Meanwhile, several aboriginal groups staged a protest in front of the Legislative Yuan Friday, voicing fear that their autonomy rights will be harmed after the inauguration of the new municipalities. (Dec. 25, 2010). Liberty Times: Taipei County, Taichung County, Tainan County and Kaohsiung County disappeared from the map of Taiwan on Dec. 25, 2010. While most of the outgoing magistrates appeared to be looking forward to the new era, with their counties upgraded to special municipalities, Kaohsiung Magistrate Yang Chiu-hsin expressed concern over the possibility that the county will be marginalized after merging with Kaohsiung City. Many of the county government staff might lose their jobs due to the merger, he said. (Dec. 25, 2010). 