On Taipei-New Taipei Joint Governance, Chiang Wan-an Says Deep Collaboration is a Public Blessing

(CNA, Taipei, 20th, by reporter Yang Shu-min) The joint governance of Taipei and New Taipei has become a discussion topic in the mayoral elections of both cities. Today, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, accompanied by KMT's New Taipei City mayoral candidate Lee Ssu-chuan, inspected a negative-pressure smoking room. In response to media inquiries, Chiang said that Taipei and New Taipei are one entity, and deep collaborative governance is the true blessing for their citizens. To promote a smoke-free city, Taipei has already launched five negative-pressure smoking rooms, providing smokers with a place to smoke in restricted areas without causing secondhand smoke, and will continue to add more. Today, Chiang Wan-an and Lee Ssu-chuan went to MRT Zhongshan Station to inspect an operational negative-pressure smoking room. Afterwards, they walked to another one in front of Shuanglian Station for a photo, with Chiang stating this one would also be activated soon. Regarding Lee Ssu-chuan's call for "joint governance of Taipei-New Taipei," Chiang Wan-an said they would work together to create a better environment for the citizens. Puma Shen, the DPP's Taipei mayoral candidate, recently said in an interview that joint governance is an old issue, mentioning that the two cities are not even in sync on the placement of trash cans. Facing media questions on the topic of joint governance, Chiang Wan-an said that according to telecom signaling data, Taipei's daytime floating population is 650,000 more than at night, with a large proportion coming from New Taipei. Known as "Taipei by day, New Taipei by night," the two cities are one entity. Chiang gave examples, including today's inspection for promoting a smoke-free city and Lee Ssu-chuan's previous proposal for a 30-minute metropolitan common living circle, stating that Taipei and New Taipei are one and have a deep understanding. He believes that only through deep collaborative governance can the citizens' well-being be truly achieved, hence joint governance leads to mutual prosperity. Lee Ssu-chuan also said that since New Taipei is larger, he will, in principle, incorporate this good policy (smoking rooms) into his platform. It seems the rollout should start from business districts, especially crowded places, to make them smoke-free, such as Christmasland. He stated that he would prioritize its execution, stressing that joint governance is necessary for mutual prosperity. Lee Ssu-chuan, with a background in public works, recalled that the most important aspect of a negative-pressure smoking room is achieving negative pressure and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to completely filter the smoke, so smokers don't feel like they are in a gas chamber, with air conditioning for ventilation being the second priority. When Chiang Wan-an proposed it, Lee, as Taipei's deputy mayor, had studied it with the New Construction Office. Chiang added that there are a total of four layers of filtration, and based on citizen feedback, door handles have been added to the doors, and ashtrays containing water or sand will be installed in the future to reduce smoldering risks. The media then asked about election-related issues, questioning Chiang about his trip to Yilan yesterday to support KMT's Yilan County magistrate candidate Wu Tsung-hsien, where KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun was absent. They asked if he was worried about a pro-China stance affecting the election and whether he would invite Cheng Li-wun to campaign events later. Chiang only explained that the most important thing was that a good friend needed help, so he went after work.