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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Tainan Council Chamber Becomes Election Arena as Rival Councilors Clash Over Local Projects

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Two city councilors from the same district in Tainan, Taiwan, engaged in a heated public argument during a council meeting.
  • Chen Chiu-ping and Yang Chung-cheng accused each other of taking credit for local construction projects and criticized their respective approaches to development.
  • The exchange turned the council chamber into a "election arena," highlighting the intense competition within the Yongkang district.

The Tainan City Council chamber transformed into an "election arena" on August 12 as two councilors from the same Yongkang district, Chen Chiu-ping and Yang Chung-cheng, publicly clashed over local development projects. The heated exchange, which occurred during a report by the Land Administration Bureau, underscored the intense political rivalry within the district.

I cannot let him badmouth me everywhere in the district.

— Chen Chiu-pingCouncilor Chen Chiu-ping explaining why she felt compelled to address accusations made by her colleague.

Chen Chiu-ping initiated the confrontation, directly naming Yang Chung-cheng and accusing him of criticizing her for taking credit for local construction. Chen stated she was merely serving her constituents diligently and had endured such criticisms for a long time. She asserted that Yang had crossed a line and that she needed to clarify the situation during the council meeting, stating, "I cannot let him badmouth me everywhere in the district."

I am not ignorant. It is a good thing to strive for local development, and I will never block it.

— Yang Chung-chengCouncilor Yang Chung-cheng responding to accusations and asserting his commitment to local progress.

Yang Chung-cheng responded by refuting Chen's claims, referencing local rumors about a certain faction believing their words should be final. He emphasized that public facility land redistribution follows a specific process and that local development should prioritize "having it first, then making it better." Yang added that he supports local development and would not obstruct it, stating, "I am not ignorant" and that he does not wish to make enemies, though "what needs to be said must be said."

What needs to be said must be said.

— Yang Chung-chengCouncilor Yang Chung-cheng justifying his public statements during the heated exchange.

Chen Chiu-ping later regained the floor, clarifying that her actions were not intended as a challenge but as a response to constituents' requests. She expressed regret over the conflict between colleagues and concluded by saying, "Let us protect Taiwan and Tainan together." Yang reiterated his desire for re-election on November 28 to continue serving the district, emphasizing his commitment to local progress without animosity.

Why make things difficult for colleagues? Let us protect Taiwan and Tainan together.

— Chen Chiu-pingCouncilor Chen Chiu-ping concluding her remarks with a call for unity.
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.

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