Shen Boyang: China Cyberattacks Undermined Taipei Mayoral Election Fairness

In an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency, Shen Po-yang bluntly stated that frequent actions by China to "crack down on Taiwan independence" and interfere in elections have seriously compromised the fairness of Taiwan's elections. As the Democratic Progressive Party's candidate for Mayor of Taipei, he pointed out that the adversary continuously uses information warfare, cyberattacks, and the influx of external funds in an attempt to distort voters' perceptions and thereby undermine the competitiveness for the Taipei mayoral position. These actions not only violate the international community's fundamental principles regarding electoral freedom, but also directly threaten the stability of Taiwan's democratic system.

Addressing rumors regarding his father being a Taiwanese businessman, Shen dismissed them as "rehashed old news," meaning that such rumors have long circulated in society and are nothing new. Shen emphasized that the focus of the election should center on policies and governance rather than groundless speculations about personal backgrounds. These remarks highlight his insistence on the purity of electoral issues and remind voters to prioritize substantive political platforms when evaluating candidates.

Shen further pointed out that the Kuomintang, as Taiwan's primary opposition party, should step forward to call for electoral fairness and help monitor the election process. In recent years, the Kuomintang has faced criticism for lacking a unified opposition voice during elections due to internal divisions and inconsistent strategies. Shen believes that if the Kuomintang can adopt a more proactive stance by calling on election oversight bodies to strengthen defenses against external interference, it will help enhance the overall transparency and credibility of the elections.

Additionally, Shen mentioned that when facing policy pressures from mainland China, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and cross-strait relations, Taiwan must demonstrate a firm and independent stance on the international stage. As an international metropolis hosting numerous multinational corporations and diplomatic representations, Taipei will leverage the mayoral position to promote more inclusive economic and cultural policies, further solidifying Taiwan's positive global image, Shen stated. If the election can be conducted in a fair environment, the governance of Taipei City will possess greater legitimacy and effectiveness.

Finally, Shen urged voters to remain rational and calm, avoiding being swayed by the adversary's information warfare. He stated that the outcome of an election should not be decided by external forces, but rather by the people of Taiwan expressing their shared choice for the future through voting. If the fairness and transparency of elections can be ensured, Taiwan's democratic system will become even more robust and more resilient against external challenges.