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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Beauty Queen Candidate's Qipao Storm Drain Video Sparks Outrage

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A local election candidate in Tainan, Taiwan, sparked controversy by filming herself cleaning a clogged storm drain while wearing a qipao (cheongsam).
  • Critics accused her of staging a publicity stunt, questioning the appropriateness of her attire for the task.
  • The candidate defended her actions, stating the qipao was intended to draw attention to local public affairs and her commitment to addressing community issues.

A local election candidate in Tainan, Taiwan, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after posting a video of herself cleaning a clogged storm drain while dressed in a qipao, a traditional Chinese dress. Hu Qingrou, who is running for the position of neighborhood chief in Guoping Village, Anping District, faced accusations of staging a publicity stunt.

Yes, it is precisely by using qipao-style videos that I hope to draw everyone's attention to neighborhood public affairs.

— Hu QingrouDefending her choice of attire in a social media post

The video, shared on her Instagram account on July 10, showed Hu attempting to clear mud and debris from a storm drain. She stated that she was responding to resident complaints about blocked drains potentially causing flooding during heavy rains. However, her choice of attire, a stylish qipao, drew sharp rebukes from many netizens.

Online commenters derided the video as performative, with remarks like "Just digging for a few seconds!" and "Wearing that to clean a ditch? Are you attending a wedding?" Many questioned the practicality and appropriateness of her clothing for the task, with some calling it "fake" and "genius attire."

Because sharing short videos about 'blocked storm drains and flooding issues' has allowed more people to get to know me, and to know that Qingrou is running for Guoping Village chief, I am truly grateful for everyone's concern and encouragement.

— Hu QingrouResponding to criticism on Threads

Responding to the backlash on the Threads platform on July 11, Hu defended her choice, explaining that the qipao was a deliberate strategy. "I hope to use the qipao series of videos to draw everyone's attention to neighborhood public affairs," she stated. Hu emphasized that her primary goal is to solve problems through action and pledged to continue engaging with the community, listening to residents' concerns, and addressing local issues.

Many friends also asked me why I wore a qipao to film the video? Yes, it is precisely by using qipao-style videos that I hope to draw everyone's attention to neighborhood public affairs.

— Hu QingrouExplaining her motivation on Threads
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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