Taipei mayor's 'dog cage' smoking area sparks spat with Kaohsiung mayor

A public dispute has erupted between the mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung over a controversial smoking area in Taipei's Gongguan commercial district. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an found himself defending the newly installed "grille-style smoking area," which critics likened to a "dog cage," during a city council report. In his defense, Chiang invoked past Kaohsiung projects, including the Jiuruliu Bridge and the Qianzhen Fishing Port renovation, questioning why council members did not similarly scrutinize those.

Chiang's tactic of deflecting criticism by pointing to spending on Kaohsiung projects, such as the NT$500 million Jiuruliu Bridge and the NT$8.1 billion Qianzhen Fishing Port upgrade, was met with a strong rebuttal from Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai. Chen, speaking to reporters, stated that the worst approach a mayor can take is to answer one question with another, or to blame others, suggesting it shows a lack of sincerity and an unwillingness to confront issues directly.

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the worst way is to answer A with B, and blame others.

Chen stressed that facing problems honestly and working towards solutions is what citizens expect from their leaders. He advised Chiang that admitting mistakes and taking responsibility is acceptable to the public. Chen urged Chiang to focus on practical governance and diligently address the city's issues, emphasizing that such a grounded approach is a fundamental requirement for any politician.

The exchange highlights a growing tension and political sparring between Taiwan's major cities, particularly as local elections approach. While Chiang aimed to deflect criticism by drawing parallels to Kaohsiung's expenditures, Chen's response underscored a call for accountability and direct problem-solving in municipal leadership.

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These are also taxpayers' money, don't the councilors want a consistent standard? Why not say a word?