Shen Pao-yang and Su Chiao-hui Make First Joint Appearance, Emphasize Co-Prosperity for Taipei and New Taipei

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by Liu Chien-pang) DPP's Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Pao-yang today joined New Taipei mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui to visit the Taipei fish and fruit wholesale markets. Regarding the KMT's proposal for co-governance of Taipei and New Taipei, Shen said that the two cities are in a state of mutual competition and growth, and that 'co-governance' is a top-down concept, whereas they should strive for 'co-prosperity.' Shen and Su visited vendors at the Taipei First Fruit and Vegetable and Fish Wholesale Markets today, accompanied by DPP legislator Wu Pei-yi and several DPP councilors from both cities. This was their first joint campaign event since Shen was nominated. During their visit, Shen and Su interacted enthusiastically with vendors and accepted a joint interview, where they were asked for their views on KMT's New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Szu-chuan's proposal of 'Taipei-New Taipei co-governance,' which Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an also endorsed. Shen said the KMT's proposal of co-governance is a top-down idea. What he and Su want to promote is 'co-prosperity' for the two cities, meaning they compete with and help each other grow. 'Taipei City and New Taipei City are definitely not one plus one equals one; it must be one plus one is greater than two,' Shen stated. Shen mentioned that the most important thing is for the two cities to cooperate, just like an ecosystem where transportation and security systems are interconnected. 'But every big tree grows differently and has its own characteristics, which is how one plus one becomes greater than two.' Shen stated that he would not call it co-governance but co-prosperity, and that he and Su will continue to strive forward. If elected, they will lead the two cities in a better direction, competing and growing together to make Taipei and New Taipei the most prosperous places in Taiwan. In the joint interview, Su said that she and Shen were classmates while studying in the United States and later became good comrades-in-arms in the Legislative Yuan. This was their first joint event since being nominated by the party, and they chose the Taipei fish and fruit wholesale markets because the vendors and customers all come from the shared living circle of Taipei and New Taipei. Regarding co-prosperity, Su noted that she has affection for New Taipei and hopes the city can progress further, believing that 'cities are like restaurants; good restaurants compete and cooperate with each other.' Su said that since the beginning of the year, she has been reporting her future plans for New Taipei to the public and has proposed policies such as welfare and family care, hoping that 'New Taipei can transform from a satellite of Taipei into a sky of brilliant stars.' The media also asked about Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's recent plans to visit central and southern Taiwan, which has been interpreted as a campaign tour. In response, Shen said that Chiang's decision to help with campaigns is his personal choice. For Shen, the focus is to continue working hard and listening to the public in Taipei. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150519