Shen Po-yang Responds to Taipei Grand Trail Criticism: 'Don't Dodge the Question'

(CNA, Taipei, June 6, by reporter Liu Jian-bang) Shen Po-yang, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for Taipei Mayor, was asked about the city government's planned Taipei Grand Trail during an interview today. He stated that his point was about the transportation network planning for all trails, and that this policy was carried over from the previous administration and has not been changed by the current one. "Don't answer B when asked A," he said.

Shen made these remarks after paying respects at Bishan Temple with DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, Taipei City Councilors Ho Meng-hua, Lee Chien-chang, Wang Hsiao-wei, and councilor candidates Kao Chia-yu and Chen You-hsin.

The media asked about a press release from the city's Geotechnical Engineering Office, which stated that outside comments about the Taipei Grand Trail having "no progress" in recent years and trails having "poorly planned transportation" were inconsistent with the facts.

Shen responded, "I think sometimes you shouldn't answer B when asked A." He clarified that he was talking about integrating Taipei's more than 150 hiking trails, such as how to enter at point A and exit at point B, and the transportation network planning for the entire trail system. He noted that the city government was referring to the already selected Grand Trail routes, not to mention that this policy was promoted by the previous administration and has been continued to this day. "The Chiang administration has not made any changes," he said.

Shen argued that if one truly cares about Taipei's hiking trails, the focus should be on the Greater Taipei Skyline. The routes of the skyline and the Taipei Grand Trail create disconnections, and how to bridge these gaps should be the topic of discussion.

Shen stated that hiking trails must achieve a combination of "natural paths and cultural paths." For example, Neihu has this combination, but not every hiking trail in Taipei does. He believes these aspects should be planned, along with supporting measures like transportation shuttles.

Regarding the "enter at A, exit at B" issue, Shen used the Fengguizui route of the Taipei Grand Trail as an example. He said that because the transportation shuttle service cannot meet public demand, most people enter and exit the trail at Fengguizui. This is because the shuttle buses are insufficient and the stops are inconvenient. "So, answering the question in this manner does not seem very appropriate," he concluded. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150606