Kaohsiung candidate questions rival's support for 'One China' policy amid low approval for KMT chairwoman

Kaohsiung residents express significant dissatisfaction with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Chiu Hsiu-hsiang, with a recent poll by the New Taiwan Policy Foundation indicating a nearly 60% disapproval rating. Only 23.9% of respondents approved of Chiu's performance.

In response to these findings, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Jui-lung directly questioned his opponent, Ko Chih-en, about her stance on Chiu's "One China" policy. "Do you support 'One China'?" Lai asked, pointing out that while Ko's family and assets are in the United States, she is running for mayor of Kaohsiung and has chosen to support Chiu's "One China" line, which he believes Kaohsiung residents cannot accept.

Lai further criticized Ko Chih-en's past actions, including her role in the fiscal allocation law that allegedly cost Kaohsiung 20 billion NT dollars and her obstruction of the general budget, which he argued severely harmed the city. He asserted that only by genuinely standing with Kaohsiung and prioritizing its interests can Ko gain voter support, warning that residents will see through any inconsistencies.

Lai emphasized Kaohsiung's recent progress under President Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai Ching-te, citing significant developments in industry and transportation. He pledged to continue this trajectory, offering increased support for both the elderly, through a 10,000 NT dollar elder card credit, and children, by enhancing President Lai's proposed 5,000 NT dollar child-rearing subsidy for those aged 0-18 with an additional 1,000 NT dollars for those aged 0-6.

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Do you support 'One China'? Your family is in the United States, your assets are in the United States, but you are running for mayor of Kaohsiung, and you choose to support Chiu Hsiu-hsiang's 'One China' policy. Kaohsiung residents actually cannot accept this!