Four Taoyuan mayoral candidates trade barbs at policy presentation event

Four Taoyuan mayoral candidates trade barbs at policy presentation event

2022-11-15

The four mayoral candidates for Taoyuan on Tuesday took part in a policy presentation, where they also had a chance to criticize their rival’s proposals for the city. DPP candidate Cheng Yun-peng started on the offensive, saying that the KMT’s candidate Simon Chang was out of touch with Taoyuan. Meanwhile, Chang’s promises that he would lead with transparency were shot down by his rivals.

At the policy presentation, the four mayoral candidates for Taoyuan pose for a photo. The first to fire the shots was the DPP’s Cheng Yun-peng, who took aim at the proposals by the KMT’s Simon Chang.

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
My adversary, Mr. Simon Chang thinks that investing in the semiconductor industry is something that should happen many years in the future. That further shows how out of touch he is with Taoyuan. He was a premier in the Executive Yuan, and also the highest adviser for a pro-unification party. Mr. Chang had power, but was unwilling to use it. He didn’t do anything to get trains running on the Taoyuan Airport MRT, to get operations going at the Taoyuan Aerotropolis. He even obstructed projects to put railway tracks underground.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
Taoyuan has grown a lot since when I was working in Longtan. But a lot of new problems have emerged. Taoyuan has a lot of infrastructure, but not so much attention has been paid to its quality.

Lai Hsiang-ling
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (TPP)
Do we really want to let Cheng Yun-peng take the lead, so that he can fail to open up Taoyuan and bring big changes? Former Premier Simon Chang is a respected figure, but he hasn’t been working in governance for many years, or in the executive branch.

Cheng is the most seasoned lawmaker of the four candidates. In contrast, Chang hasn’t worked in Taoyuan for a decade. At the presentation, Chang touted his engineering experience, saying that he would work toward transparency and against corruption. His opponents took the statement as munitions to slam him.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
I will make use of my background in engineering to push for safety in public works. My principles in promoting public construction projects are “Clean government, clean process.”

Cheng Pao-ching
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (Independent)
When you were in the government, did you do anything to stop corruption in the KMT government? To stop the mafia running the place? Did you say anything about the project to bring the railway tracks underground?

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
Simon Chang wants a “clean process.” But from what I can see, his team includes vote buyers and frauds.

The KMT and DPP candidates used their final remarks to land a last jab on each other.

Simon Chang
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (KMT)
All previous county or city heads have had achievements under their belts. But they also had shortcomings. People of Taoyuan, it’s time to change the party in charge.

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
During the KMT rule, Taoyuan’s infrastructure was stagnating. But during the past eight years, Taoyuan has moved forward at the speed of light. That’s something that all residents here can appreciate.

The candidates traded barbs, as Election Day draws near. Who will get elected on Nov. 26? It remains to be seen.