Taipei mayor, candidate clash over universal cash handout proposal

A political spat has erupted in Taipei over a proposed universal cash handout of NT$20,000, with the city's mayor and a leading mayoral candidate trading barbs. The proposal has cleared its first reading in the city council, but Mayor Chiang Wan-an's shifting statements have fueled the controversy.

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This back-and-forth approach leaves citizens confused, clearly showing Chiang Wan-an's lack of understanding of city affairs.

Chiang initially declared that a universal handout would be implemented "without conditions." However, he later stated he would "respect the council's decision," a move that DPP mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang seized upon. Shen criticized Chiang's stance as inconsistent and indicative of a "lack of understanding of city affairs," suggesting it leaves residents uncertain.

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Taipei's reserves are not enough for debt repayment, there are no conditions for a universal handout. Commissioner Shen does not understand Taipei's finances, so please stop spreading rumors.

The Taipei City Government, through Deputy Spokesperson Tsai Wan-ying, pushed back against Shen's accusations. Tsai asserted that Chiang's position has been consistent: Taipei's finances are strained, with existing "accumulated reserves" insufficient for debt repayment, thus precluding a universal handout. She contrasted this with the central government's robust tax revenue growth, questioning why Shen, as a legislator, does not demand similar handouts from the central government.

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Facing a central government with much more abundant financial conditions, why don't you make demands? Do you 'run away' when it comes to the central government?

Tsai also invoked Shen's past remarks, recalling his previous characterization of universal cash handouts as a "CCP tactic to impoverish Taiwan before unification." His current support for such a measure from the central government, she argued, represents a reversal. The city government further accused Shen of evading difficult questions on various issues, including food safety and political infiltration, labeling his approach as "running away" when faced with central government scrutiny. The debate highlights the complex fiscal challenges facing Taipei and the political maneuvering ahead of the mayoral election.

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You previously described universal cash handouts as a 'CCP tactic to impoverish Taiwan before unification,' but now you support it when the central government proposes it. Please stop 'running away' and repeating yourself.