Li Sichuan Tours New Taipei Districts to Address Housing and Traffic Concerns

Lee Ssu-chuan toured New Taipei City's 29 administrative districts today, stating on-site: "Every hand I shake is warm. Poll results will be taken as a reference, but public opinion is more important than polls." These remarks not only highlight his emphasis on the voices of citizens, but also reflect the Kuomintang's attempt to replace traditional data analysis with a "face-to-face" approach in the upcoming local elections. Having served as a New Taipei City councilor since 2019, Lee has accumulated rich local governance experience and has projected a "people-friendly" image, which this tour puts into practical action.

In Taiwan, polls are often viewed as an important reference tool ahead of elections, yet they are frequently criticized by voters for creating "illusions" and oversimplification. Lee explicitly stated during interviews that while he pays attention to various polling figures, final decision-making will still be guided primarily by "the mood and opinions of citizens." This stance echoes his past electoral practice of "making no excessive promises," aiming to reduce voter disappointment over political rhetoric while emphasizing the transparency of practical action.

During the tour, Lee not only shook hands and talked with residents, but also personally visited community hotspots regarding issues such as traffic congestion, soaring housing prices, and environmental protection in New Taipei City. Regarding traffic, he mentioned that he will promote the optimization of the "New Taipei Rapid Road Network" and increase the frequency of public transportation. Regarding housing prices, he pledged to strengthen land-use planning and reduce vacancy rates to alleviate rental pressure. These concrete proposals have helped him build a "problem-solver" image among residents across the administrative districts.

From a competitive perspective, Lee's "district-wide tour" strategy aims to break traditional partisan patterns within constituencies. As one of Taiwan's most populous and economically active cities, New Taipei City's ballots hold an influence on the national level that cannot be ignored. If Lee can grasp key issues across various regions in a short period and win public trust through practical actions, it will provide an important reinforcement for the Kuomintang's influence across Taiwan, particularly in countering the expansion of the Democratic Progressive Party's presence in the north.

Furthermore, Lee's strategy also reflects a trend in Taiwan's local politics: a shift from pure partisan competition toward an electoral model that places greater emphasis on "citizen participation" and a "problem-oriented" approach. New Taipei City's diverse ethnic groups and voters from varying socioeconomic strata demand that candidates not only possess a macro policy blueprint, but also demonstrate practical solutions at the local level. Lee's slogan that "public opinion is more important than polls" is precisely a response to this trend, as he attempts to establish an image of "truly listening" in the hearts of voters.

In summary, Lee's tour today is not merely campaign promotion, but a manifesto on public opinion and policy implementation. If he can continue to extend this "face-to-face" interaction right up to the eve of the election and implement concrete policies across various regions, it will help boost voter trust in the Kuomintang and bring about new changes to the political landscape of New Taipei City and Taiwan as a whole.