Shen Bo-yang: No Winning Formula for Taipei Mayoral Election; Focus on Diligently Visiting Grassroots and Listening More
The DPP has nominated Legislator Shen Bo-yang to run for Taipei Mayor. Shen emphasized that there is 'no winning formula' and that he will focus on diligently listening to the voices of the citizens at the grassroots level.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 17:56
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 18:02 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 18:48 (46 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 13th, Reporter Yeh Su-ping) The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) today nominated Legislator Shen Bo-yang to run for Taipei Mayor. When asked by the media about his 'winning formula,' he said there is no such thing, and the key is to diligently visit the grassroots and listen more. He added that Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's decision to campaign across Taiwan is a personal choice, while he himself will focus on running at the grassroots level and communicating with citizens.
At the DPP's Taipei Mayoral Nomination press conference, President Lai Ching-te, who is also the DPP chairman, placed a campaign sash on Shen Bo-yang, who then took questions from the media.
When asked about a winning formula against the popular incumbent Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Taipei, a city long considered more 'blue' (KMT-leaning) than 'green' (DPP-leaning), Shen responded that the DPP has always been the challenger in Taipei, as is he. He said the most important thing is not the basic political alignment but presenting a vision and letting the citizens of Taipei make a choice after listening. Regardless of what the basic alignment looks like, for him, the key is to communicate more with the citizens.
Shen said this is why after being nominated, he must diligently visit the grassroots. It's not as simple as just thinking about what the city should do from an academic or professional standpoint; what's needed are the voices and participation of the citizens, which is the strength of Taipei City.
Shen stated that he must do his best to win everyone's support in the process. 'So there is no so-called winning formula; for us, it's about listening more to everyone's voices.'
When asked by the media if he would talk less about 'resisting China and protecting Taiwan' in the future campaign to focus on municipal issues, following past attacks from the blue camp, Shen said that 'resisting China and protecting Taiwan' has always been a label the other side wants to stick on him. But for him, these things are not in conflict. Because he is on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, he naturally has to talk more about how to defend the country. And when discussing municipal affairs, how to clean up the environment, and how to protect citizens' privacy, 'this has little to do with China. Different issues naturally have different ways of discussion.'
Shen emphasized that he has always had many discussions on different issues; it's just that people are more likely to see his statements on defense and foreign affairs. Therefore, it's not about reducing or increasing; he will maintain his original stance. 'When it's time to talk about it, you have to talk about it. When there's no need to talk about it, you focus on discussing how to make this city better.'
When asked if Mayor Chiang Wan-an's message that he will be a 'mother hen' campaigning across Taiwan in the upcoming election means he doesn't see Shen as a respectable opponent, Shen said that Chiang's decision to campaign across Taiwan is a personal choice. His own choice is to constantly be active at the grassroots, communicating with citizens about municipal affairs. What Chiang thinks is his personal matter; for Shen, persuading the citizens is the most important thing right now. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150513
At the DPP's Taipei Mayoral Nomination press conference, President Lai Ching-te, who is also the DPP chairman, placed a campaign sash on Shen Bo-yang, who then took questions from the media.
When asked about a winning formula against the popular incumbent Mayor Chiang Wan-an in Taipei, a city long considered more 'blue' (KMT-leaning) than 'green' (DPP-leaning), Shen responded that the DPP has always been the challenger in Taipei, as is he. He said the most important thing is not the basic political alignment but presenting a vision and letting the citizens of Taipei make a choice after listening. Regardless of what the basic alignment looks like, for him, the key is to communicate more with the citizens.
Shen said this is why after being nominated, he must diligently visit the grassroots. It's not as simple as just thinking about what the city should do from an academic or professional standpoint; what's needed are the voices and participation of the citizens, which is the strength of Taipei City.
Shen stated that he must do his best to win everyone's support in the process. 'So there is no so-called winning formula; for us, it's about listening more to everyone's voices.'
When asked by the media if he would talk less about 'resisting China and protecting Taiwan' in the future campaign to focus on municipal issues, following past attacks from the blue camp, Shen said that 'resisting China and protecting Taiwan' has always been a label the other side wants to stick on him. But for him, these things are not in conflict. Because he is on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, he naturally has to talk more about how to defend the country. And when discussing municipal affairs, how to clean up the environment, and how to protect citizens' privacy, 'this has little to do with China. Different issues naturally have different ways of discussion.'
Shen emphasized that he has always had many discussions on different issues; it's just that people are more likely to see his statements on defense and foreign affairs. Therefore, it's not about reducing or increasing; he will maintain his original stance. 'When it's time to talk about it, you have to talk about it. When there's no need to talk about it, you focus on discussing how to make this city better.'
When asked if Mayor Chiang Wan-an's message that he will be a 'mother hen' campaigning across Taiwan in the upcoming election means he doesn't see Shen as a respectable opponent, Shen said that Chiang's decision to campaign across Taiwan is a personal choice. His own choice is to constantly be active at the grassroots, communicating with citizens about municipal affairs. What Chiang thinks is his personal matter; for Shen, persuading the citizens is the most important thing right now. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150513