Danjiang Bridge Opened Without Inviting Local Officials? Minister Chen Shih-Kai: Internal Prayer Ceremony
A controversy has erupted after local officials, including New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih, were not invited to the Ministry of Transportation's internal prayer ceremony for the opening of the Danjiang Bridge. Minister Chen Shih-Kai stated it was an internal event, while New Taipei City expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry's 'minor actions' but prioritized public safety.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 14:16
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Central News Agency (CNA) — New Taipei City, May 12 — The opening of the Danjiang Bridge today has sparked debate after local figures, including New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih, were not invited; Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai stated that this was an internal prayer ceremony of the Ministry of Transportation, and no public representatives were invited.
Chen Shih-Kai presided over the unveiling of the Danjiang Bridge Control Center and the pre-opening prayer ceremony this morning. Hou Yu-ih, the New Taipei City government team, local representatives, and neighborhood chiefs were not invited. New Taipei City Councilor Tsai Chin-hsien, an independent, and several neighborhood chiefs attended to protest.
Chen Shih-Kai stated in a media interview that a formal opening ceremony had already been held on May 9, attended by Hou Yu-ih, the New Taipei deputy mayor, several city government department heads, and public representatives. Related celebration events have also been held more than 10 times.
He said that today was merely an internal prayer ceremony of the Ministry of Transportation, and no public representatives were invited. He expressed hope that this local happy event would not turn into an unhappy one.
"The Danjiang Bridge belongs to everyone," Hou Yu-ih said this morning while inspecting the Sanchong Second Municipal Center project, stating that the opening is an important matter for the city government, ensuring safe and smooth passage for road users. The most important goal is convenient and safe transportation, and the city government will do its job to ensure the safe opening of the Danjiang Bridge.
New Taipei City Government Information Department Director Lee Li-chen said that the city government proactively inquired yesterday, and the Ministry of Transportation stated that it had not invited relevant heads and public representatives to participate. The originally invited district chiefs of Tamsui and Bali in New Taipei were also temporarily informed "not to attend." The district chiefs wanted to represent their constituents in praying for this major construction but were prohibited.
"Making small moves in a big project is meaningless," Lee Li-chen stated, adding that the central government defined the prayer ceremony as an "internal activity," treating local officials as outsiders, and then urgently sought assistance from the city government at the last minute to execute the traffic control plan. Although confused by these actions of the Ministry of Transportation, the city government's concern and focus remain on traffic conditions and road user safety after the opening, and the city government's traffic control center will continue to monitor.
Bali District Chief Lin Chao-chieh told CNA reporters that he had confirmed his invitation repeatedly yesterday, but around 7 PM last night, he was again informed to "only invite the district chief, do not bring neighborhood chiefs and public representatives to the site." Around 9 PM, he was again informed that Hou Yu-ih and others were not invited, and the district chief was politely refused participation.
New Taipei City Councilor Chen Wei-chieh of the Kuomintang said that Tamsui residents are concerned about the traffic flow before getting on the bridge, asking, "Will the signs be unclear?" and "Will lane changes be very dangerous?" He hopes for smoother traffic flow, reduced congestion, and safer conditions for motorcycles, reviewing the cancellation of two-stage left turns to make the flow more intuitive; adjusting intersection crosswalks and waiting positions to make markings clearer.
Kuomintang New Taipei City Councilor Chiang Yi-chen stated that the total construction cost of the Danjiang Bridge is over NT$20 billion, with the New Taipei City government bearing over NT$7 billion. The Ministry of Transportation "selectively forgets" the city government's contributions in funding, personnel, effort, and land. (Edited by Li Ming-chung) 1150512
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Chen Shih-Kai presided over the unveiling of the Danjiang Bridge Control Center and the pre-opening prayer ceremony this morning. Hou Yu-ih, the New Taipei City government team, local representatives, and neighborhood chiefs were not invited. New Taipei City Councilor Tsai Chin-hsien, an independent, and several neighborhood chiefs attended to protest.
Chen Shih-Kai stated in a media interview that a formal opening ceremony had already been held on May 9, attended by Hou Yu-ih, the New Taipei deputy mayor, several city government department heads, and public representatives. Related celebration events have also been held more than 10 times.
He said that today was merely an internal prayer ceremony of the Ministry of Transportation, and no public representatives were invited. He expressed hope that this local happy event would not turn into an unhappy one.
"The Danjiang Bridge belongs to everyone," Hou Yu-ih said this morning while inspecting the Sanchong Second Municipal Center project, stating that the opening is an important matter for the city government, ensuring safe and smooth passage for road users. The most important goal is convenient and safe transportation, and the city government will do its job to ensure the safe opening of the Danjiang Bridge.
New Taipei City Government Information Department Director Lee Li-chen said that the city government proactively inquired yesterday, and the Ministry of Transportation stated that it had not invited relevant heads and public representatives to participate. The originally invited district chiefs of Tamsui and Bali in New Taipei were also temporarily informed "not to attend." The district chiefs wanted to represent their constituents in praying for this major construction but were prohibited.
"Making small moves in a big project is meaningless," Lee Li-chen stated, adding that the central government defined the prayer ceremony as an "internal activity," treating local officials as outsiders, and then urgently sought assistance from the city government at the last minute to execute the traffic control plan. Although confused by these actions of the Ministry of Transportation, the city government's concern and focus remain on traffic conditions and road user safety after the opening, and the city government's traffic control center will continue to monitor.
Bali District Chief Lin Chao-chieh told CNA reporters that he had confirmed his invitation repeatedly yesterday, but around 7 PM last night, he was again informed to "only invite the district chief, do not bring neighborhood chiefs and public representatives to the site." Around 9 PM, he was again informed that Hou Yu-ih and others were not invited, and the district chief was politely refused participation.
New Taipei City Councilor Chen Wei-chieh of the Kuomintang said that Tamsui residents are concerned about the traffic flow before getting on the bridge, asking, "Will the signs be unclear?" and "Will lane changes be very dangerous?" He hopes for smoother traffic flow, reduced congestion, and safer conditions for motorcycles, reviewing the cancellation of two-stage left turns to make the flow more intuitive; adjusting intersection crosswalks and waiting positions to make markings clearer.
Kuomintang New Taipei City Councilor Chiang Yi-chen stated that the total construction cost of the Danjiang Bridge is over NT$20 billion, with the New Taipei City government bearing over NT$7 billion. The Ministry of Transportation "selectively forgets" the city government's contributions in funding, personnel, effort, and land. (Edited by Li Ming-chung) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" app to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.