Ying Hsiao-wei defends daughter's '8-year-old contribution' claim, sparks online ridicule

Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei is facing online backlash for her description of her daughter, Ying Chia-yu, who is campaigning for a council seat in the Zhongzheng and Wanhua district. Ying Hsiao-wei referred to her daughter as a "senior newcomer" who has been "contributing to the community since she was 8 years old."

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Go for it, senior newcomer who has been diligently contributing to the community since she was 8 years old, please cheer her on.

This statement quickly drew skepticism and mockery from netizens. Many questioned the logistics and meaning of an 8-year-old contributing to a local community, flooding social media with comments like "What did she contribute at 8?" and "How can an 8-year-old contribute to the community?" Some sarcastically compared her to former politician Sean Lien, who was once described as a "self-sufficient farmer" at age two.

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What did she contribute at 8??

Ying Chia-yu's campaign has also featured slogans like "AI Zhongzheng Wanhua Food" and "most senior newcomer." Her political platform includes "AI smart long-term care." However, her public image has been affected by past controversies. Media reports recently surfaced alleging she was seen smoking in public in Ximending with a man embracing her, creating a significant contrast with her on-camera image. Ying Chia-yu responded by stating the man was a close friend and the smoking was "social," promising to be more mindful of her behavior.

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8 years old... contributing to the community...???

Adding to the controversy, Democratic Progressive Party deputy director of news Huang Tzu-yi criticized Ying Hsiao-wei and her daughter, accusing them of treating the electorate as a family political inheritance. He expressed shame that the Zhongzheng and Wanhua district has long been represented by the Ying family. Huang also questioned the meaning of "AI Zhongzheng Wanhua Food" as a campaign slogan.

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I grew up in Zhongzheng and Wanhua, and I am ashamed that this district has long had the Ying family.