Interview Suggests Possible China Visit: Shen Boyang Says Beijing Should Be Worried
Shen Boyang, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Taipei mayor, mentioned in an interview that he does not rule out visiting China. He stated that if he visits Beijing, it is Beijing that should be worried, as he is already under sanctions. Shen also shared his views on the Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum and the exchange of red pandas, emphasizing that exchanges should avoid political preconditions. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an retorted, asking if the DPP hadn't claimed that exchanges with the other side would create loopholes for infiltration.
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- 📰 Published: June 6, 2026 at 14:45
- 🔍 Collected: June 6, 2026 at 15:04 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 15:25 (20 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporters Liu Jianbang and Chen Yuting, Taipei, 6th) Shen Boyang, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Taipei mayor, mentioned in an interview that he does not rule out visiting China. Today, Shen said that if he were to visit Beijing, he might be asked to change his name, but that is something Beijing should worry about.
Shen, along with DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung and others, visited the Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple to offer incense this morning. After the event, he was interviewed and asked about his earlier comments to the United Daily News, where he said he would not rule out exchanges with mainland China.
Shen responded that he had previously stated that if the Twin City Forum is ineffective, there is no need to hold it. He believes that "Taipei is a capital city and should host an international city forum. The Twin City Forum should be a floor, not a ceiling."
He said, "The forum should be between capitals, so Taipei should face Beijing. If I can go to China, Beijing should be the one to worry, because I am already sanctioned. Whether Beijing will change my name, for example, changing 'Bo' to 'Bai' and 'Yang' to 'Sheep,' that is something they should worry about."
Asked whether the arrival of red pandas in Taiwan is a loophole for infiltration, Shen said that when the Taipei City Government cooperated with Japan on animal exchanges, there were also red pandas, but no forum was held with Japan, and there were no political preconditions. It was purely an animal conservation exchange.
Shen said, "If it's just an animal conservation exchange, it can be done with any country. But exchanges with China may involve political preconditions. What we need to pay attention to is whether the exchange has any related 'political preconditions.' I don't think there is a problem with the red panda exchange. The red pandas are completely innocent."
Separately, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an was asked by reporters before the opening ceremony of the Taipei City Education Expo today about Shen's interview comments regarding a possible visit to mainland China. Chiang retorted, "Didn't the DPP say that any exchange with the other side would create a loophole for infiltration?"
When asked about the exchange of red pandas with mainland China and the Twin City Forum, Chiang said, "Two red pandas have arrived at the Taipei Zoo from the Shanghai Zoo. Looking at the photos, they are really cute. I believe everyone welcomes their arrival. The city government team has worked very hard on animal conservation, exchanges, and the Twin City Forum, and has achieved concrete results." (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150606
Shen, along with DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung and others, visited the Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple to offer incense this morning. After the event, he was interviewed and asked about his earlier comments to the United Daily News, where he said he would not rule out exchanges with mainland China.
Shen responded that he had previously stated that if the Twin City Forum is ineffective, there is no need to hold it. He believes that "Taipei is a capital city and should host an international city forum. The Twin City Forum should be a floor, not a ceiling."
He said, "The forum should be between capitals, so Taipei should face Beijing. If I can go to China, Beijing should be the one to worry, because I am already sanctioned. Whether Beijing will change my name, for example, changing 'Bo' to 'Bai' and 'Yang' to 'Sheep,' that is something they should worry about."
Asked whether the arrival of red pandas in Taiwan is a loophole for infiltration, Shen said that when the Taipei City Government cooperated with Japan on animal exchanges, there were also red pandas, but no forum was held with Japan, and there were no political preconditions. It was purely an animal conservation exchange.
Shen said, "If it's just an animal conservation exchange, it can be done with any country. But exchanges with China may involve political preconditions. What we need to pay attention to is whether the exchange has any related 'political preconditions.' I don't think there is a problem with the red panda exchange. The red pandas are completely innocent."
Separately, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an was asked by reporters before the opening ceremony of the Taipei City Education Expo today about Shen's interview comments regarding a possible visit to mainland China. Chiang retorted, "Didn't the DPP say that any exchange with the other side would create a loophole for infiltration?"
When asked about the exchange of red pandas with mainland China and the Twin City Forum, Chiang said, "Two red pandas have arrived at the Taipei Zoo from the Shanghai Zoo. Looking at the photos, they are really cute. I believe everyone welcomes their arrival. The city government team has worked very hard on animal conservation, exchanges, and the Twin City Forum, and has achieved concrete results." (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150606