The Kuomintang (KMT) has regained its momentum! The last two pieces of the "big unity" puzzle have been completed, and the "largest voting bloc" in New Taipei City has been consolidated. Li Sichuan has donned the blue robe to run for mayor of New Taipei City, facing Su Qiaohui, daughter of Su Zhenchang. Additionally, Hao Longbin and Zhao Shaokang have confirmed their "great reconciliation" with Zheng Liwen, fully supporting the KMT Central Committee's strategy for the upcoming "nine-in-one" elections, and also supporting Zheng Liwen's visit to mainland China.
Whether the KMT can continue to govern New Taipei City is not only related to the success or failure of the "nine-in-one" election, but also affects the 2028 election and whether the KMT can return to power. In response to Zheng Liwen's statement that the mayoral candidate will be nominated before the Spring Festival, Mayor Hou Youyi of New Taipei City has expressed his willingness to comply with the KMT Central Committee's nomination schedule within the past week, putting aside the "resentment" between him and Zheng Liwen, and sacrificing his "small self" for the "greater self" of the KMT. It is clear that Hou Youyi is no longer insisting on having his own loyalist Liu Hearn run for mayor.
Zhi Jia, chairman of the Beauty Island Electronic Newspaper, recently revealed that the KMT's integration in New Taipei City has made a breakthrough. The vice chairman and secretary-general of the KMT, Li Qianlong, has met with Mayor Hou Youyi of New Taipei City, and both sides reached an agreement: Li Sichuan will represent the KMT in the 2026 election, Liu Hearn will join the campaign team and continue as the vice mayor of New Taipei City after Li Sichuan wins. Li Sichuan is likely to serve only one term, and in 2030, Liu Hearn, who is younger, will run again.
This not only means the successful integration in New Taipei City, but also represents that the big faction leader Hou Youyi has begun to unite around Zheng Liwen. Previously, the biggest local faction figure, Wang Jinping, was appointed as a senior advisor to the KMT. Other local factions quickly returned to the party. This is excellent news for Zheng Liwen.
Zhao Shaokang also confirmed today that he and Hao Longbin dined with Zheng Liwen a few days ago, and they embraced each other, resolving their differences and completely reconciling. The unpleasantness caused by the party chairman election has passed. "Election is temporary, but we should all support the KMT together." Zhao Shaokang also publicly stated his support for Zheng Liwen's visit to mainland China, helping Zheng Liwen suppress the voices of the opposition within the party.
As a result, Zheng Liwen can now feel more secure about her visit to mainland China. Zheng Liwen said today (20th) afternoon after visiting Ma Ying-jeou, "Today I visited Mr. Ma to seek his guidance and to pay my respects for the New Year. Most of the time was focused on cross-strait exchanges and breaking the ice. Mr. Ma also strongly supported and encouraged me."
Zheng Liwen said, "Mr. Ma repeatedly emphasized that Lai Ching-te claims to be a 'pragmatic Taiwan independence advocate,' but pragmatism and the logic of 'Taiwan independence' are incompatible. 'Taiwan independence is a dead end, a dead end.' Peace across the straits is crucial. Mr. Ma encouraged her to visit the mainland and shared many experiences from his previous visits to the mainland."
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854829754117123/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.