Former TPP legislator Li Chen-hsiu announces bid for Zhubei mayor

Former legislator Li Chen-hsiu, who previously represented the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) as a legislator-at-large with mainland Chinese origins, has announced her intention to run for mayor of Zhubei City. This move positions her as a potential challenger to the TPP's incumbent candidate, Chiu Chen-yuan, in the upcoming local elections.

Li made her announcement on Facebook, emphasizing that her decision was not impulsive and outlining five key policy directions for Zhubei City, covering transportation, education, recreation, environment, and governance. She presented these as a "Zhubei City Governance White Paper," signaling her preparedness for the campaign. Li, who identifies as a "Zhubei mom," expressed her commitment to the city, stating, "Others see Zhubei through politics; I see Zhubei through life."

Li's political career has been marked by controversy regarding her eligibility. She was previously removed from the TPP and lost her legislative seat in April due to dual-nationality issues, specifically related to her origins in mainland China and alleged violations of nationality and cross-strait regulations. She had attempted to challenge these decisions through administrative lawsuits, but her applications were dismissed.

In response to such cases, the Central Election Commission has implemented stricter verification processes. For candidates with mainland Chinese origins, election commissions will now require proof of having renounced their mainland Chinese household registration for at least ten years before they can register as public office candidates. Therefore, Li Chen-hsiu's eligibility to run for mayor of Zhubei City is still subject to verification and approval by the Central Election Commission.

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Others see Zhubei through politics; I see Zhubei through life.