Tsai at Kaohsiung book launch appoints Lai, fuels succession debate

Former President Tsai Ing-wen travelled south to Kaohsiung today to attend the book‑launch event of incumbent mayor Chen Chi‑mai. The gathering was not only a presentation of a new publication but also a significant moment for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) political positioning and succession planning in southern Taiwan. In her remarks, Tsai praised Chen’s performance since taking office, emphasizing that the team led by Chen has successfully steered Kaohsiung’s industrial transformation and that residents are feeling the benefits of the city’s growth. With Chen’s term nearing its end, the widely watched succession issue dominated the discussion. Tsai specifically named party legislator Lai Jui‑lung, urging him to assume the heavy responsibility, ensure a smooth handover of Kaohsiung’s transformation, and build on existing foundations for even stronger future development. She called on supporters to “secure the baton and keep moving forward.”

Looking back over Chen’s tenure as mayor, his record can be described as a series of impressive achievements amid challenges. Since winning a by‑election, he has actively promoted the restructuring of Kaohsiung’s industrial base, shifting the city from a reliance on heavy industry and traditional manufacturing toward the semiconductor supply chain, high‑tech research and development, and artificial‑intelligence sectors, creating a so‑called “technology corridor.” This effort has attracted domestic and international tech giants, including TSMC, to set up facilities in districts such as Zuoying and Nanzih, spurring growth in surrounding service industries and the local economy. In addition, Chen has demonstrated efficient execution across public‑works projects, concert‑related economic activity, city branding, and social‑welfare initiatives, markedly boosting residents’ sense of identity and pride. Tsai’s personal appearance and high praise underscore the DPP’s recognition of Chen’s team’s policy successes.

Chen’s second mayoral term will conclude in 2026, and under local election law he cannot seek a third consecutive term. Consequently, competition for the DPP’s Kaohsiung mayoral primary and the eventual successor has already begun to take shape behind the scenes. As the DPP’s most important stronghold and political benchmark in southern Taiwan, the choice of successor will influence not only local power dynamics but also the party’s broader political landscape. Among the mid‑career party figures vying for the nomination, legislator Lai Jui‑lung stands out. He has long cultivated grassroots support, having served as Kaohsiung’s director of the Bureau of Information, director of the Marine Bureau, and multiple terms as a legislator, giving him a comprehensive blend of administrative and parliamentary experience. Tsai’s explicit mention of Lai and her articulation of a “smooth handover for continued growth” inject a highly visible variable into the primary race and highlight senior party members’ encouragement of capable mid‑generation leadership.

During her speech, Tsai stressed the need for everyone to “secure the baton and keep moving forward,” a statement that reflects deep expectations for the continuity of DPP governance in Kaohsiung. The city’s transformation has been driven by successive leaders, turning a once‑stereotyped industrial hub into a modern metropolis that blends cultural vibrancy with technological sophistication—a transition that has not been easy. Tsai noted that a seamless transfer of local authority tests not only the successor’s competence and vision but also the party’s ability to remain united. She publicly called on supporters to stand together, ensuring that municipal projects do not stall during the leadership change, and that Kaohsiung can build on the solid foundation already laid to face the next phase of urban evolution and challenges.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Kaohsiung mayoral election is expected to become a fiercely contested battleground for Taiwan’s political parties. For the DPP, maintaining the quality and reputation of its green governance while forging new initiatives on the high‑satisfaction base left by Chen will be a decisive test for retaining this key city. The book launch, which gathered numerous local officials and supporters, effectively served as a rallying point for consolidating DPP cohesion. With Tsai’s public endorsement, the activities of Lai Jui‑lung and other aspiring party members will attract heightened scrutiny. Kaohsiung’s future development will affect the welfare of its more than five million residents and will serve as an important indicator of Taiwan’s overall industrial transition and local governance, with observers watching closely how the port city positions itself for a more competitive future.

(Source: Central News Agency)