New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih backs rival Li Sichuan, recalls past cooperation

New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih publicly endorsed his rival, KMT mayoral candidate Li Sichuan, at a volunteer police award ceremony. Hou reminisced about their past collaboration during former Mayor Zhu Lilun's administration, highlighting their use of "third-party policing" to combat illegal activities.

"Police need a team, just as I needed Vice Mayor Li's strong support in public safety back then," Hou stated, urging voters to support those who work diligently for New Taipei. He recalled how they partnered to investigate numerous massage parlors and gambling arcades. Their strategy involved police enforcement followed by other city departments cutting off utilities and demolishing illegal structures, effectively shutting down businesses.

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Police need a team, just as I needed Vice Mayor Li's strong support in public safety back then.

This "third-party policing" approach proved so successful that it was adopted nationwide. Hou emphasized that this method contributed to New Taipei's stable public safety. He also touched upon current challenges like resilient city defense, stressing that protecting the Republic of China and Taiwan is a shared responsibility.

Li Sichuan echoed Hou's sentiments, stating that public safety is crucial for citizens' well-being. He acknowledged Hou's advice to tackle the root causes of crime by cutting utilities and demolishing illegal buildings, a policy he implemented in Kaohsiung. Li pledged to take the baton from Hou in ensuring public safety and asked for voter support in the upcoming election.

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I want to pick up Hou Yu-ih's baton at the end of the year, and I ask everyone to support me to take over and work hard for New Taipei's public safety.