Debate of Taipei Mayor Candidates to be Held on Nov. 10|辯論會11/10登場 柯文哲:當作準備考試

The Taipei City mayor candidates' debate will be broadcast on PTS on Nov. 10. Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je says he sees it as a test that he has to prepare for. Kuomintang candidate Ting Shou-chung's team is using big data to see which issues city residents care about, while Democratic Progressive Party candidate Pasuya Yao's team says it began preparing a long time ago with advisor Yao Jen-to's assistance.


With less than a month until the elections, Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je is busy promoting his administrative record. Having four years in office is both a blessing and a curse, as he has achievements to tout while his opponents have issues to attack. All these issues will no doubt be laid bare during the mayoral debate on the 10th.

Taiwan doesn't need any more "problem explainers" or "problem discoverers." We only need problem solvers. So, since debates are a necessary part of elections, I will treat the debate as a test I have to study for. You have to give me two or three days' time to read up and prepare.

Ko is only taking part in this one debate and says he has to be prepared to answer any questions thrown his way. He is currently holding mock debates with his campaign team. Over in Democratic Progressive Party candidate Pasuya Yao's camp, Presidential advisor Yao Jen-to is overseeing preparations.

We are of course extremely familiar with Mayor Ko's performance record and administrative blueprint of the last four years and have been for a long time. We are fully prepared.

Yao's team is focusing on not only municipal issues, but national issues like transitional justice as well. Kuomintang candidate Ting Shou-chung's campaign team, meanwhile, is taking a scientific approach and analyzing big data to identify the issues city residents really care about. Ting recently criticized Ko over his debate participation.

We have some understanding of these corresponding measures. In short, we offer our opinions and views on the current Taipei City policy and strategy implementation. (Ko Wen-je) has dragged his feet and will only participate in one (debate). This shows his lack of sincerity and fear of public scrutiny.

Ko's four-year tenure has been filled with controversy, from Taipei Dome to public housing projects to urban renewal issues. The debate will no doubt be a lively one.