DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taipei Mayor Dodges Debate Invitation, Cites Daily Citizen Engagement

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an responded to an invitation for a city affairs debate from DPP candidate Shin-Pei-yang.
  • Chiang emphasized his daily engagement with citizens on city matters and highlighted recent policy announcements.
  • He deflected questions about electoral strategy and comments on other candidates, focusing instead on his mayoral duties.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an deflected an invitation for a public debate on city affairs from Democratic Progressive Party candidate Shin-Pei-yang, stating he is already consistently communicating with citizens about municipal issues. "I am explaining city affairs to everyone every day," Chiang told reporters on August 24.

I am explaining city affairs to everyone every day.

— Chiang Wan-anResponding to an invitation for a debate and emphasizing his current communication with citizens.

Chiang highlighted recent policy initiatives, including enhanced childcare support with a 30,000 New Taiwan dollar subsidy per birth and expanded egg-freezing benefits. He also noted the upcoming completion and opening of the Xinyi East Extension section of the MRT on Friday, August 30, and the ongoing progress of other MRT lines. When pressed about his electoral plans and comments from former Mayor Ko Wen-je labeling Shin-Pei-yang as "too weak," Chiang reiterated his focus on his mayoral responsibilities and ongoing policy implementation.

Responding to a question about former Minister of State Zhang Jinsong's suggestion that Shin-Pei-yang could be a "male version of Tsai Ing-wen," Chiang distanced himself, stating, "That question shouldn't be asked of me, right?" He also commented on a recent incident where a high school student altered a certificate bearing the name of Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an, replacing it with Shin-Pei-yang's signature. Chiang remarked that he personally would not have acted in such a manner.

That question shouldn't be asked of me, right?

— Chiang Wan-anWhen asked about comments comparing a political rival to President Tsai Ing-wen.

The mayor made these remarks after presenting awards to neighborhood chiefs for their contributions to promoting city policies. He continued to steer the conversation back to his work, emphasizing the city's progress and his commitment to governance.

If it were me, I would not do that.

— Chiang Wan-anCommenting on a high school student altering a certificate to get a political rival's signature.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog