Blue-White alliance turns Lee Si-chüan into joint campaign focus for New Taipei

The electoral landscape in Taiwan’s local politics has always been characterized by its complexity and unpredictability. As various political parties intensify grassroots mobilization and strategic alliances, the dynamics of the New Taipei City election have become a focal point of national attention. Li Sichuan, the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for mayor of New Taipei City, attended a series of large-scale rallies today, demonstrating strong ambition and deep-rooted grassroots connections. Notably, this wave of rallies featured the full presence of heavyweight KMT figures offering their support, along with the unexpected appearance of Tsai Ing-wen’s opponent, Kuomintang rival, and People First Party (PFP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang on the same stage. This rare joint appearance of the blue and white camps in a coordinated endorsement effort is viewed not merely as a candidate promotion event, but as a significant indicator of the potential for cooperation between the blue and white blocs in local elections.

Among the prominent speakers, the attendance of current Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu undeniably stole the spotlight. Han, known for his emotive oratory, urged the audience to fully support Li Sichuan. He described Li’s long years of diligent work in the public sector and his contributions to Taiwan’s infrastructure with the phrase “bitterness gives way to sweetness.” Han pointed out that Li has consistently played a key role in engineering expertise and problem-solving in both central and local governments, shouldering numerous arduous tasks while often working behind the scenes. As Li transitions to running for the office of mayor, Han expressed his hope that voters would acknowledge Li’s dedication with their votes, allowing this pragmatic politician to finally reap the rewards of his efforts and lead New Taipei City toward a more constructive future.

In addition to Han’s passionate endorsement, incumbent Mayor Hou You-yi also personally attended the rally, underscoring a strong sense of succession. Hou, who has governed New Taipei City for many years, brings high approval ratings and a clear municipal vision, which remain key assets for the KMT in the region. On stage, Hou detailed the city’s major infrastructure projects and developments in recent years, emphasizing that these achievements were built on the sweat and dedication of professional engineering talents like Li Sichuan. Hou’s presence not only dispelled previous speculation regarding the succession plan but also served as a substantial endorsement of Li’s capabilities by the current city administration. This gesture of handover from the incumbent mayor helps Li quickly consolidate the loyalty of the broader blue camp and transforms municipal experience into a significant electoral advantage.

Equally noteworthy was the surprising appearance of PFP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang on the same stage, a development that carries particular sensitivity and profound significance in the current political climate. With increasing interactions between the KMT and PFP in certain local constituencies and within the Legislative Yuan, the direction of the election in New Taipei City—the most populous direct-controlled municipality in Taiwan—holds significant implications. Huang’s attendance can be seen as a signal of goodwill and potential space for blue-white cooperation at the local level. Although each party maintains its own calculations and nomination considerations at the grassroots level, how the non-green camp can achieve the greatest common divisor through coordination and complementarity in the face of strong opponents remains a hot topic among voters and political observers. The joint appearance of Huang and Li not only energized the rally atmosphere but also set the stage for potential future competition and cooperation among multiple parties.

Li Sichuan has long enjoyed the reputation of an “engineering ironman” in Taiwan’s political and engineering circles. From his roles as Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung and Taipei, to his tenure at the Executive Yuan’s Public Works Commission, his career has spanned the island, handling numerous challenging post-disaster reconstruction projects and major transportation infrastructure. His non-partisan, pragmatic approach has earned him a good reputation across party lines. However, as he transitions from a technocrat to a frontline political candidate, Li must navigate the more complex terrain of political rhetoric and electoral battles. The gathering of blue and white heavyweights to endorse him today aims to leverage the star power of political celebrities and cross-party support to compensate for traditional electoral shortcomings, refocusing voters on the candidate’s actual ability to get things done.

Overall, this rally, featuring heavyweight political figures such as Han Kuo-yu, Hou You-yi, and Huang Kuo-chang, represents not only a major boost for Li Sichuan’s personal campaign but also a concrete manifestation of the evolving interaction model between the blue and white camps in the post-general election era. How the opposition camp can maintain the autonomy of each party while forming effective oversight and cooperation on local governance is a shared challenge. Whether Li Sichuan can successfully translate his engineering expertise into voter trust and distinguish himself in intense political competition, with the support and expectations of these allies, will be the most critical indicator for observing the development of the New Taipei City election. (Source: Central News Agency)