Lai Ching-te supports mayoral candidate Lai Jui-long at Kaohsiung rally

In the upcoming local elections in Taiwan, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Jui-lung for the mayoralty of Kaohsiung held a rally this past Sunday in Ganshan District, attracting a large turnout of supporters and significant media attention. Ganshan District, a key industrial and residential area within Kaohsiung, features a diverse voter base with high expectations for local policies and development plans. During his speech, Lai reiterated that he would center his campaign on the "Kaohsiung Plan," aiming to drive urban renewal, industrial upgrading, and social welfare, while calling on voters to participate collectively in injecting new momentum into the city’s future.

The rally was highlighted by the personal appearance of incumbent President Lai Ching-te, who came to show his support. In his address, President Lai noted that Kaohsiung’s recent prosperity and development were not solely the result of local efforts, but rather the outcome of collaborative cooperation between the central and local governments. He emphasized that the central government would continue to provide policy and financial support to ensure the implementation of the Kaohsiung Plan proposed by Lai Jui-lung. The President’s attendance not only symbolized the central government’s attention to the local election but also underscored the interaction and competition between the two major political parties in local governance.

In his speech, Lai Jui-lung outlined the primary directions of the "Kaohsiung Plan." Although detailed specifics were not disclosed, the focus was clearly on three main aspects: first, enhancing Kaohsiung’s competitiveness as an international port city by expanding port facilities and innovating logistics to attract more foreign investment and supply chain investments; second, promoting green energy and sustainable development by accelerating the deployment of solar and wind energy facilities across the city and encouraging enterprises to meet carbon neutrality targets; and third, improving the quality of life for residents through the expansion of public transportation, community care services, and the equitable distribution of educational resources. Lai stated that these measures would be centered on a "people-first" approach for Kaohsiung residents, ensuring that the benefits of development reach every citizen.

Kaohsiung has traditionally been a stronghold for the DPP, with the party’s candidates winning most local elections in recent decades. Between 2018 and 2022, Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Han Guo-yi served as mayor, a period during which controversies over policy and execution somewhat affected the city’s administrative image. Lai Jui-lung’s potential tenure is viewed as an internal party adjustment and reshaping of the direction of governance in Kaohsiung. The rally served not only as an appeal to Kaohsiung voters but also as a response to the KMT’s challenges in the local political arena. The support from the central government and President Lai Ching-te’s endorsement further solidified the impact of the Kaohsiung election on the broader political landscape.

The atmosphere at the rally in Ganshan District was lively, with supporters expressing their backing for Lai Jui-lung by carrying homemade slogans and waving flags. Many attendees stated that the "Kaohsiung Plan" was not merely a slogan, but a concrete and feasible policy blueprint capable of addressing long-standing issues related to industrial transformation and social welfare within the city. Local community organizations and youth groups also joined the event, calling for greater participation of young people in local politics to inject fresh blood into Kaohsiung’s future. Judging by the on-site atmosphere, Lai Jui-lung’s rally was not just a promotional event, but a community-wide...