New Taipei Mayoral Candidate Su Chiao-hui Walks with 'Pikmin Friends' to Create 'Chiao' City

New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui has embraced an innovative approach to connect with voters, leveraging the popular mobile game "Pikmin Bloom." In a unique event, Su and her supporters, referred to as "Pikmin friends," walked together, "planting flowers" in the game to create the character "Chiao" (巧), a character that shares the same pronunciation as her given name. This creative initiative aims to embody her vision for New Taipei as a city that is "just right" – fitting, harmonious, and wonderful for all its residents.

The "Pikmin Bloom" game, known for its focus on walking and community interaction, provided a fitting platform for Su's campaign. The event saw participants not only engaging with the game but also exchanging postcards from across New Taipei's 29 districts, recreating a classic game scene. Su also distributed real flower seedlings, symbolizing the planting of hope and love for the city. This hands-on, community-oriented approach stands in contrast to traditional campaign methods, emphasizing shared experiences and collective effort.

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This 'Chiao' is not just my name, but also my expectation and symbol for New Taipei City. Chiao means just right, perfectly fitting, and wonderful.

Su articulated her aspiration for New Taipei to be a city where everyone can find their place, a city that is colorful, diverse, and increasingly beautiful. The "walking out a 'Chiao' city" theme encapsulates her desire to build a future where the city's development is perfectly aligned with the needs and desires of its people. The overwhelming response to the online component of the campaign, with nearly 8,000 participants contributing almost 300 million steps, demonstrates a strong engagement and enthusiasm for Su's vision. This event highlights how local politicians are increasingly using digital platforms and popular culture to foster a sense of community and connect with the electorate on a more personal level.

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I hope that the future New Taipei City will be a city that is just right for everyone, where everyone can find their favorite place.