Appearing on stage with rival, Shen Po-yang says Chiang Wan-an 'cheered at the air'

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an of the KMT and DPP mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang shared the same stage at a local event yesterday, an encounter that has sparked commentary on their interaction.

During the event, video footage captured Chiang shaking hands with Shen. As they parted, Chiang offered a word of encouragement, saying "Keep it up." However, observers noted that Chiang's eyes did not appear to meet Shen's during this exchange.

Shen later recounted the moment, suggesting that Chiang seemed to be cheering at the air. He expressed uncertainty about whether the mayor's "Keep it up" was directed at him or perhaps at the surrounding crowd. Shen posted on Threads that he initially waved and said hello, followed by a handshake and a "You've worked hard." He then described Chiang shouting "Keep it up" towards the air, adding, "I had no idea he was talking to me... I thought it was a passerby shouting XD."

Shen also addressed media reports that he appeared "stunned" by the interaction. While acknowledging Chiang might have been rushing to his next engagement, Shen questioned the media's framing of the event. He later told reporters that he only learned Chiang had said "Keep it up" after returning home, as the venue was quite noisy. Shen emphasized that from a Taipei citizen's perspective, the focus should be on current issues like flood recovery and reconstruction, rather than the nuances of a mayoral candidate's greeting.

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I had no idea he was talking to me... I thought it was a passerby shouting XD.