Campaign Poster Sparks Discrimination Allegations: Li Hong-yi States Only Opposing Openness to Indian Migrant Workers
Li Hong-yi, a prospective Kaohsiung City Councilor candidate, is facing accusations of racism over a campaign poster opposing Indian migrant workers. He denies discriminatory intent, stating it's solely about policy opposition. The controversy highlights broader debates on immigration and political messaging.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 14:43
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 15:02 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 01:18 (10h 16m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, 13th) Li Hong-yi, the head of Gangming Village in Siaogang District, who intends to run for Kaohsiung City Councilor, has recently been accused of suspected racial discrimination by Indians in Taiwan due to the content of his campaign poster. Li Hong-yi stated today that he was merely expressing opposition to the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers and had no intention of discriminating.
Li Hong-yi is an independent village chief but holds membership in the Taiwan People's Party. His campaign poster for city councilor features the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) emblem, as well as images resembling the Indian flag and a turbaned figure with a cross-out sign, expressing his stance against Indian migrant workers and other issues, which has sparked controversy.
An Indian netizen who claimed to have lived in Taiwan for many years posted on the social media platform Threads, stating that the poster incorrectly displayed the Indian flag and showed a cross-out sign over a turbaned figure. This promotional method, they argued, uses specific appearances and cultural symbols to incite animosity towards certain groups. This was the first time they had seen such blatant racial discrimination in their many years in Taiwan.
Wang Yi-heng, director of the New Power Party Kaohsiung City Chapter, posted, stating that the campaign poster directly put a prohibition sign over the Indian flag and specific religious and cultural symbols, using an entire country and ethnic group as a tool to incite fear. While migrant worker policy can be discussed, policy debates should focus on systems, data, and配套 measures, not on instigating emotions against specific groups.
Wang Yi-heng mentioned that India is a complex and diverse country, which has been simplified into a symbol of fear in elections; a cultural symbol representing faith and dignity has been affixed with a prohibition sign, which is naked ignorance. Taiwan can have different stances, but prejudice should not be used as an election tool.
Liu Chia-jung, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party Kaohsiung City Chapter, told Central News Agency that the Taiwan People's Party has not nominated any city councilor candidates in Cianjhen and Siaogang districts. Currently, the Taiwan People's Party in Kaohsiung City has only nominated Lin Yu-kai as a city councilor candidate in Sanmin District.
Li Hong-yi accepted an interview with Central News Agency today and stated that his poster was merely expressing opposition to the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, not opposing Indians or discriminating against them. "Policies are controversial, and it is up to the voters to decide. If you support the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, vote for his opponent; if not, vote for him."
Li Hong-yi pointed out that he does not oppose migrant workers in general, only the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, and does not want the focus to be blurred. He expressed concern that the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers has not seen complete配套 measures and management methods.
Li Hong-yi stated that he is a member of the Taiwan People's Party but will not seek the party's nomination, running as an independent, just as he did when running for village chief. As for the DPP emblem on the poster, it means "don't save the Democratic Progressive Party." (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, 13th) Li Hong-yi, the head of Gangming Village in Siaogang District, who intends to run for Kaohsiung City Councilor, has recently been accused of suspected racial discrimination by Indians in Taiwan due to the content of his campaign poster. Li Hong-yi stated today that he was merely expressing opposition to the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers and had no intention of discriminating.
Li Hong-yi is an independent village chief but holds membership in the Taiwan People's Party. His campaign poster for city councilor features the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) emblem, as well as images resembling the Indian flag and a turbaned figure with a cross-out sign, expressing his stance against Indian migrant workers and other issues, which has sparked controversy.
An Indian netizen who claimed to have lived in Taiwan for many years posted on the social media platform Threads, stating that the poster incorrectly displayed the Indian flag and showed a cross-out sign over a turbaned figure. This promotional method, they argued, uses specific appearances and cultural symbols to incite animosity towards certain groups. This was the first time they had seen such blatant racial discrimination in their many years in Taiwan.
Wang Yi-heng, director of the New Power Party Kaohsiung City Chapter, posted, stating that the campaign poster directly put a prohibition sign over the Indian flag and specific religious and cultural symbols, using an entire country and ethnic group as a tool to incite fear. While migrant worker policy can be discussed, policy debates should focus on systems, data, and配套 measures, not on instigating emotions against specific groups.
Wang Yi-heng mentioned that India is a complex and diverse country, which has been simplified into a symbol of fear in elections; a cultural symbol representing faith and dignity has been affixed with a prohibition sign, which is naked ignorance. Taiwan can have different stances, but prejudice should not be used as an election tool.
Liu Chia-jung, chairman of the Taiwan People's Party Kaohsiung City Chapter, told Central News Agency that the Taiwan People's Party has not nominated any city councilor candidates in Cianjhen and Siaogang districts. Currently, the Taiwan People's Party in Kaohsiung City has only nominated Lin Yu-kai as a city councilor candidate in Sanmin District.
Li Hong-yi accepted an interview with Central News Agency today and stated that his poster was merely expressing opposition to the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, not opposing Indians or discriminating against them. "Policies are controversial, and it is up to the voters to decide. If you support the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, vote for his opponent; if not, vote for him."
Li Hong-yi pointed out that he does not oppose migrant workers in general, only the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers, and does not want the focus to be blurred. He expressed concern that the policy of opening up to Indian migrant workers has not seen complete配套 measures and management methods.
Li Hong-yi stated that he is a member of the Taiwan People's Party but will not seek the party's nomination, running as an independent, just as he did when running for village chief. As for the DPP emblem on the poster, it means "don't save the Democratic Progressive Party." (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts; every donation helps protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.