Features | Politics | East Asia

The Taipei Mayor Election Is Not About China

As usual, Taiwan’s local elections are about local politics – not independence or unification. 

In October, well-known Taiwanese television host Kevin Tsai, popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, was spotted by the media attending a campaign event for Puma Shen, a legislator running for mayor of Taipei. Given Tsai’s popularity in China, his appearance quickly sparked criticism. The incumbent Taipei mayor, Chiang Wan-an, helped defuse the controversy by inviting Tsai to the opening of his own campaign headquarters. Three weeks after attending Shen’s campaign event, Tsai publicly stated that he had never supported Taiwanese independence and that his work required him to interact with people holding a range of political views. The following day, he attended Chiang’s campaign event.

If attending a rally is tantamount to declaring one’s support for Taiwan’s future, imagine what will be made of the November 28 vote.

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In October, well-known Taiwanese television host Kevin Tsai, popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, was spotted by the media attending a campaign event for Puma Shen, a legislator running for mayor of Taipei. Given Tsai’s popularity in China, his appearance quickly sparked criticism. The incumbent Taipei mayor, Chiang Wan-an, helped defuse the controversy by inviting Tsai to the opening of his own campaign headquarters. Three weeks after attending Shen’s........

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