Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai Makes Zongzi with Blue-Green Candidates: 'I'll Be the Judge'

(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 6th) Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai attended the Dragon Boat Festival event at Sanfeng Central Street today, making zongzi (rice dumplings) alongside the mayoral candidates from both the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). He joked, "I don't have the pressure of an election right now. The two candidates are making zongzi, and I, as the incumbent mayor, will score their work."

Chen Chi-mai has participated in the Sanfeng Central Street zongzi-making event for five consecutive years. Speaking to the media, Chen said, "After five years of making zongzi, I still can't do it well. My technique needs improvement. 'Having been mayor for so long, my zongzi-making is still not ideal.'" He humorously added, "Perhaps the next mayor will be better at making zongzi than I am."

When asked by the media about the significance of having both DPP candidate Lai Jui-lung and KMT candidate Ko Chih-yin present to make zongzi, Chen said it would be better to ask them directly. He added that he currently has less election pressure and thought it would be a good idea to have the two of them make zongzi while he, as the incumbent mayor, scores their performance.

Chen did not forget to promote the local business district. He said, "Sanfeng Central Street is a center for 'southern and northern goods.' The products are of high quality and affordable, with guaranteed quality. If people want to buy ingredients for making zongzi, Sanfeng Central Street is the place to go."

Wu Chin-chang, chairman of the Sanfeng Central Street Business District Association, pointed out that the Dragon Boat Festival is a historic and emotional holiday. "Sanfeng Central Street has a complete range of goods and diverse choices. It is a large-scale wholesale center for zongzi ingredients in southern Taiwan. The ingredients sold are safe and guaranteed, allowing everyone to buy with confidence and eat with peace of mind."

This year's zongzi-making event at Sanfeng Central Street not only promoted traditional Dragon Boat Festival culture but also, for the first time, invited award-winning international chef Chang Yi-yen to collaborate. Using carefully selected ingredients from Sanfeng Central Street, Chef Chang designed the "Imperial Triple Selection Zongzi." Through live demonstrations, the event aimed to educate the public about Taiwan's diverse zongzi culture and showcase the rich variety of ingredients available at Sanfeng Central Street.

Chef Chang Yi-yen stated, "I specially designed the 'Imperial Triple Selection Zongzi' for this event, all using high-quality ingredients from Sanfeng Central Street. The 'Luxurious Taiwanese Zongzi' uses glutinous rice, shiitake mushrooms, peanuts, and salted egg yolk to present a classic Taiwanese flavor. The 'Premium Seafood Zongzi' features premium ingredients like abalone, scallops, fish maw, and sakura shrimp. The 'High-Fiber, Low-Calorie Zongzi' uses five-grain ingredients like purple rice, lotus seeds, pearl barley, and red quinoa, balancing deliciousness and health."

The Economic Development Bureau stated that the street-closure zongzi-making experience event offered two sessions with a total of 100 spots, which were quickly filled after registration opened. The city government will continue to work with the business district through cultural heritage, environmental optimization, and distinctive marketing to let more people see the unique historical charm and human warmth of Sanfeng Central Street. They invite people from all over Taiwan to visit Kaohsiung, explore the central street, and celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival to experience the most authentic Taiwanese flavor. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150606