Su Qiaohui heads south to learn from Chen, vows to energize New Taipei

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) most watched New Taipei mayoral hopeful and legislator Su Qiaohui appeared today at a book‑launch event for Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi‑mai. The north‑south meeting of two prominent politicians not only highlighted the close ties and experience‑sharing among the party’s middle‑generation leaders, but also signaled an aggressive ambition for New Taipei’s future local governance. At the event Su praised Kaohsiung’s recent transformation under Chen, saying that “choosing the right people and getting things done shows that six years can truly change a city.” She pledged to study Chen’s well‑known “tight‑tight‑tight” governing style and to deliver a level of dynamism in New Taipei that surpasses Kaohsiung’s, emphasizing that “it’s not only Kaohsiung that’s tight‑tight‑tight; New Taipei will surge even more,” and vowing to apply the same high‑speed administrative rhythm to resolve the city’s long‑standing development challenges.

Reviewing Chen’s tenure, DPP insiders widely regard his administration as a model of local governance. Since winning the 2020 Kaohsiung mayoral by‑election, Chen has championed a “two‑year sprint for four‑year results” approach, delivering high‑intensity administrative efficiency and securing re‑election. Under his leadership Kaohsiung has pursued industrial restructuring, attracting major semiconductor firms—including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)—to the Nanzih Industrial Park. He has also driven the development of the Asia Bay Area Smart Technology Innovation Park, expanded the mass‑transit network, and advanced social‑housing projects. These initiatives have turned a city once grappling with industrial transition pains and population outflow into a modern, tech‑savvy, livable metropolis in a short period. This results‑oriented, speed‑and‑decisiveness‑focused style is highly praised within the DPP and has become a template that other local candidates seek to emulate.

For Su Qiaohui, who is seen as a key DPP contender for New Taipei, attending Chen’s book launch and publicly aligning herself with his experience carries strong political symbolism and a sense of succession. New Taipei, Taiwan’s most populous metropolis, has long been a battleground of blue‑green political forces, with a complex array of municipal issues ranging from metro construction and urban renewal to social welfare and balanced regional development. Su, who has built a solid grassroots record and policy expertise representing the Shulin, Yingge, Tucheng and Sanxia districts in the Legislative Yuan, used the platform to announce her willingness to draw on Kaohsiung’s success. By doing so she signals to voters that she possesses the ambition to handle large‑scale governance and intends to translate Kaohsiung’s transformation blueprint into a concrete policy framework for New Taipei.

Su’s repeated emphasis on “New Taipei will surge even more” pinpoints the city’s most pressing need for developmental momentum. Although New Taipei enjoys a substantial industrial base and demographic dividend, it remains constrained by the magnetic pull of the Taipei metropolitan area, leaving room for faster infrastructure delivery and administrative efficiency. She proposes to apply the “tight‑tight‑tight” high‑efficiency ethos to address the city’s pain points, meaning that future bureaucratic procedures and cross‑district coordination must break away from entrenched complacency and demonstrate swift decision‑making and strong execution. This strategy of transplanting southern Taiwan’s “tight‑tight‑tight” vigor to the north not only bolsters her proactive political image but also injects fresh energy into the DPP’s campaign strategy in the competitive New Taipei electorate.

In the broader political landscape, the DPP is actively positioning itself for the 2026 local elections, with New Taipei identified as a pivotal battleground. Su’s joint appearance with Chen has effectively linked southern and northern governance experiences and showcased the DPP’s middle‑generation unity and readiness. As parties intensify their contests for the New Taipei mayoralty, voters are increasingly focused on candidates’ practical problem‑solving abilities and administrative speed rather than mere party affiliation. Whether Su can truly internalize Chen’s governing principles and deliver policies that meet New Taipei residents’ expectations will determine if she can stand out in the fierce race and fulfill her promise that “New Taipei will surge even more.”

(Source: Central News Agency)