Taichung Mayoral Race Sparks Debate Over Regional Living and Maternal Appeal

Ahead of the local elections to be held in December, the two leading candidates in Taichung have once again captured the public eye. Kuomintang candidate Johnny Chiang, who previously served as Mayor of Taichung from 2014 to 2022, continued his campaign with a street canvass in a bustling downtown market today, elaborating to residents on his urban planning vision of a "20-minute living circle." In contrast, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Ho Hsin-chun, also a former Taichung mayor, delivered a speech at a Taichung university to share her political experience, shedding tears as she spoke of her late mother. Although differing significantly in style, both events highlighted the candidates' focus on urban quality of life and their sincere expressions of personal emotion.

During his market walk, Chiang interacted with vendors and pedestrians while illustrating the feasibility of the "20-minute living circle" with practical examples. This concept stems from the central government's "living circle" policy proposed in recent years, which advocates dividing core urban areas into zones accessible by walking or short-range public transportation, thereby reducing residents' reliance on private vehicles, easing traffic congestion, and curbing air pollution. Chiang pointed out that Taichung's current traffic bottlenecks are mainly concentrated on major urban thoroughfares and northern expressways. He stated that if the extension of the public transportation network in core commercial districts can be completed within the next five years, it will enable the majority of citizens to reach daily necessities such as medical care, education, shopping, and leisure facilities within 20 minutes, further enhancing the city's liveability.

The promotion of the "20-minute living circle" is not merely about transportation infrastructure; it also encompasses the integration of land use, community facilities, and public spaces. Chiang mentioned that when Taichung previously promoted New Taipei City's "New Taipei Urban Living Circle" model, insufficient detailed planning led to some communities lacking adequate green spaces and community centers. To avoid repeating past mistakes, he called on the city government to strengthen communication with residents during the planning process, ensuring that every community has the opportunity to participate in decision-making and that adequate environmental impact assessments are conducted prior to actual construction. This approach will not only boost public support for the policies but also help demonstrate candidates' commitment to long-term urban development during the election.

In her speech at the university in Taichung, Ho Hsin-chun briefly outlined her mayoral term from 2018 to 2022, reviewing the education and public health initiatives promoted during her tenure. While recounting her personal political experience, she specifically mentioned driving the "Healthy City" program within the city government, emphasizing the importance of preventive medicine and community healthcare. When she mentioned the influence of her late mother, her emotions were instantly stirred, and her eyes welled up with tears. Ho confessed that her mother had encouraged her to enter public service from a young age and provided infinite support when she faced political challenges. This emotional recollection not only moved the faculty and students present but also fostered a deeper connection between the audience and her leadership style.

The two candidates presented distinct campaign strategies through their events on the same day. Chiang focused on urban planning and practical living improvements, emphasizing long-term development and environmental sustainability, while Ho used personal stories and emotional resonance as her entry point, highlighting her care for communities and citizens. This diversity in campaigning reflects that Taichung voters, when choosing a mayor, value both policy effectiveness and the candidates' humanistic concern. As the election draws closer, how both candidates strike a balance between practical policies and personal charisma will become a critical factor for voters in their evaluation.

(Source: Central News Agency)