Taiwanese opposition mocks candidate's sign language campaign gesture
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Opposition lawmakers criticized a ruling party candidate's campaign gesture, comparing it to a dance and questioning its sincerity.
- The candidate's party defended the gesture as a national language, sparking a debate over cultural understanding and political tactics.
- Opposition figures suggested the candidate should continue using the gesture, sarcastically linking it to past controversial political events.
A ruling party candidate's campaign launch has ignited a political spat, with opposition lawmakers mocking his use of sign language for the slogan "Taipei is moving forward, Future soon." The gesture, intended to convey progress, drew sharp criticism from the opposition.
The candidate is a key player in the 'big recall' and should continue the fine tradition of creating hatred. The 'Lai Lai Dance' is the candidate's best campaign move and best campaign dance. I sincerely suggest it.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Lo Chih-chiang led the charge, sarcastically suggesting the candidate's "Lai Lai Dance" from a past political movement was a better campaign move. He questioned the sincerity of the sign language, linking it to the candidate's alleged role in past political divisions. "The candidate is a key player in the 'big recall' and should continue the fine tradition of creating hatred," Lo stated, urging the candidate to embrace the "Lai Lai Dance" as his signature campaign move.
Fellow KMT legislator Yeh Yuan-chih also weighed in, urging the ruling party to teach the candidate to speak more clearly. He dismissed the candidate's claim that Taipei's biggest problem is being "stuck," suggesting it was a meaningless statement. Yeh also sarcastically suggested the candidate should travel abroad to "take Taipei's problems elsewhere," echoing a past campaign slogan.
The ruling party should teach the candidate to speak clearly so everyone can understand. Taipei is stuck, and he wants to make it move forward. It's like saying nothing.
The controversy highlights the often-acerbic nature of Taiwanese politics, where campaign tactics and symbolic gestures become fodder for intense partisan debate. The ruling party defended the use of sign language as a national language, accusing the opposition of lacking cultural understanding.
The candidate's slogan 'take Taipei's problems abroad' was used before. I hope he can go to Europe and Africa, the world is big, there are still places to go, and take Taipei's problems elsewhere, then Taipei will move forward.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.