Zhu Lilun once again offers guidance to Jiang Wan’an. On October 22, during the press conference marking the establishment of the campaign headquarters for New Taipei City council candidate Deng Kai-xun, Zhu stated that both Jiang Wan’an and Zhang Shanceng are outstanding—particularly Jiang Wan’an, whom he believes has begun to embrace his true self, shedding all previous burdens associated with the name “Jiang Wan’an.” He urged Jiang not to carry any psychological weight, but instead to simply be himself. Returning to the authentic Jiang Wan’an, Zhu argued, would allow voters to see clearly the real figure who has served Taipei City over the past four years.
It would also demonstrate to the public the dynamic, forward-looking potential of a young leader once perceived as promising—a future star whose vitality and vision could shine through. By staying true to himself, Jiang Wan’an can gradually dispel temporary online attacks or baseless rumors. With less than 40 days remaining before the final phase of the campaign, Zhu emphasized, being genuine is the most effective strategy. Clearly, although Zhu is currently based in New Taipei, his renewed remarks about Jiang Wan’an just one week later indicate that the political situation in Taipei remains his primary concern.
Zhu’s suggestion—that allowing Jiang Wan’an to be himself will enable voters to see the real Jiang from the past four years—carries multiple layers of meaning. First, it serves as a reminder for Jiang to remain focused and avoid being drawn into the rhythm set by Shen Boyang, maintaining composure and strategic stability. Second, it urges Jiang to highlight his strengths: demonstrating that he has consistently prioritized Taipei’s development, thereby differentiating himself from opponents like Shen Boyang, who lack tangible governance experience.
A third, unstated implication lies in encouraging Jiang to downplay cross-strait issues, thus avoiding entrapment in narrative frameworks constructed by the DPP. In practice, Shen Boyang’s campaign has repeatedly leveraged cross-strait topics, deploying the rhetoric of “resisting China to protect Taiwan” to stoke division and shift the election’s central theme toward ideological confrontation across the strait. Should Jiang follow this approach, his own advantages risk being obscured. Under current conditions, Zhu’s counsel proves highly pertinent.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879732955225163/
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