Lai visits Taitung temple, backs Chen Ying, upending blue stronghold

President Lai Ching‑te visited the Taitung Tianhou Temple this morning to offer incense and pray for the nation’s peace and favorable weather. In addition to the customary prayers, the trip was used to boost the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) profile in the region and rally support for its key local candidates. Lai explicitly endorsed DPP legislator Chen Ying for the Taitung County magistrate race, while also cheering on the party’s mayoral hopeful in Taitung City, Weng Sheng‑hui, and several other DPP nominees for various local offices. In his remarks, Lai employed his familiar rhetorical style, blending vivid analogies with local realities to subtly criticize opponents for lacking a broad vision in regional development and governance. He described certain political mindsets as “unable to pave a road in front of one’s own house,” a jab at what he framed as narrow, self‑serving politics, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Lai’s personal trip to Taitung to campaign carries a strategic purpose. Historically, Taitung County has been a stronghold for the pan‑blue camp, making any DPP breakthrough a demanding task that requires extensive coordination. Chen Ying, one of the DPP’s most prominent figures in the area, commands deep support among indigenous communities and grassroots networks; her father, Chen Chien‑nian, also wielded considerable influence in Taitung politics. By appearing on the campaign trail at a decisive moment, Lai aims not only to consolidate the DPP’s foothold in eastern Taiwan but also to signal the central party’s high priority for the county magistrate contest. The “mother hen leading the chicks” metaphor underscores the party’s intent to generate momentum for its slate of candidates and to disrupt the long‑standing single‑party dominance in the locality.

During the rally, Lai stressed the ruling party’s commitment and vision for local development. Although he framed the “cannot pave a road in front of one’s own house” line as a folk saying, the underlying political message was clear: policies that serve only particular families, factions, or a minority of interests neglect the welfare of the entire county and the broader regional growth. Lai used the occasion to convey to Taitung residents that the county’s future requires leaders with a big‑picture perspective who truly consider all citizens, rather than being hijacked by a few political interests. This narrative not only set the tone for the campaign but also directly challenged entrenched local power structures, aiming to awaken voters’ desire for change.

Beyond the magistrate and mayoral contests, the rally marked the DPP’s broader integration effort in eastern Taiwan. With Chen Ying, Weng Sheng‑hui, and numerous party‑nominated councilors and township representatives gathered together, the DPP displayed an uncommon unity in Taitung. Lai presented flags to each candidate, offered words of encouragement, and emphasized the importance of teamwork. Acknowledging the complexity of local elections, the party recognizes that individual charisma alone is insufficient; a dense grassroots organization and a clear policy platform are essential to win votes in a society where personal relationships matter. Lai’s visit provided a morale boost for the local candidates and signaled the DPP’s determination to deepen its roots and reshape the political landscape in eastern Taiwan.

From a macro‑political perspective, the Taitung elections are more than a routine turnover of local officials; they serve as a barometer for the DPP’s ability to further cement its presence in eastern Taiwan. By attending the Tianhou Temple ceremony and delivering a speech, Lai leveraged religious symbolism to unite local sentiment while precisely articulating the structural challenges facing Taitung’s development. The rally not only heightened the visibility of the party’s candidates but also set the strategic focus for the upcoming campaign battles. As the election season intensifies, observers will watch whether the DPP, propelled by Lai’s “mother‑hen” leadership, can break the entrenched political framework in Taitung and what that means for the evolving map of Taiwan’s local politics.

(Source: Central News Agency)