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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Commentator mocks KMT's 'relay hunger strike' as 'weight loss camp'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Several Kuomintang (KMT) candidates in Taipei are staging a "relay hunger strike" to protest a food safety scandal involving carcinogenic oil.
  • Political commentator Chang I-shan criticized the protest, calling it a "weight loss camp" and questioning its legitimacy.
  • The protest is linked to an upcoming food safety march called by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.

A group of Kuomintang (KMT) candidates in Taipei have launched what they are calling a "relay hunger strike" to protest a food safety scandal involving carcinogenic oil. The protest, which began on July 19, is scheduled to continue until July 25, coinciding with a larger food safety march planned by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an.

Blue camp's little chicks have worked hard. It's not easy for new candidates to gain recognition, but don't misuse the word 'hunger strike' just to gain attention.

โ€” Chang I-shanPolitical commentator Chang I-shan criticizing the KMT candidates' protest.

Political commentator Chang I-shan, who participated in the 1989 Wild Lily student movement, has sharply criticized the KMT candidates' protest. He dismissed their actions as a "weight loss camp" and argued that their use of the term "hunger strike" is misguided. Chang emphasized that genuine hunger strikes have clear objectives and are maintained until those goals are met, without time limits or relay formats.

The scandal centers on soybean salad oil produced by Zhonglian Oil, which was found to contain the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). The KMT has largely placed blame on the central government, demanding an apology from President Lai Ching-te and the resignation of Premier Cho Jung-tai. Mayor Chiang Wan-an has rallied citizens for the July 25th march, using the slogan "Forcing me to eat poison oil, forcing me to the streets."

Your actions using the term 'relay hunger strike' represent your 'ignorance,' lack of a set 'objective,' and lack of 'determination.' Your approach is simply a 'election campaign weight loss camp!'

โ€” Chang I-shanChang I-shan further elaborating on his criticism of the KMT candidates' protest.

Chang I-shan argued on Facebook that the KMT candidates' "relay hunger strike" demonstrates their "ignorance" and lack of clear objectives or determination. He suggested their actions are merely a publicity stunt for their election campaigns. Online commenters have echoed his sentiment, mockingly comparing the protest to intermittent fasting methods like the 168 diet, and questioning the sincerity of their demonstration.

This is not a hunger strike, it's modern intermittent fasting. As soon as the time is up, they'll seamlessly get off work to eat spicy hot pot.

โ€” NetizenA netizen's sarcastic comment on the KMT candidates' protest.
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.