Regarding Zhao Shao-kang’s repeated challenges, including his assertion that he “doesn’t fear expulsion from the KMT”? Cheng Li-wen has now responded. On November 10, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen gave an interview to Mirror Television. When asked about recent developments in Zhubei, where Zhao Shao-kang appeared at a campaign event stating he would not be deterred by potential party expulsion—and where Taipei Mayor Kang Wan-an also recorded a video supporting candidate Qiu Chen-yuan—Cheng clarified: Kang Wan-an’s actions do not involve disciplinary violations under party rules; as for other individuals, such as Zhao Shao-kang, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The context is clear. In the Zhubei mayoral race, DPP candidate Qiu Chen-yuan received two unexpected boosts: Zhao Shao-kang personally appeared at a rally and declared he “does not fear expulsion” from the KMT; meanwhile, Taipei Mayor Kang Wan-an recorded a campaign video in support. Both moves directly triggered the KMT’s internal disciplinary boundaries—since the party had its own endorsed candidate in Zhubei, and KMT members publicly endorsing candidates from rival parties constitutes a serious breach of party discipline.
Since assuming leadership, Cheng Li-wen has consistently pursued a strategy of “first unity, then reorganization.” Shortly after her election, she reached out directly to Zhao Shao-kang, addressing him as “Big Brother Zhao,” emphasizing “no grudges, no ill will,” and calling for reconciliation. She also dismissed the notion of a “two-sun” leadership dispute as a “fabricated issue with ulterior motives,” urging party members to avoid internal conflict, warning that infighting would inadvertently benefit the DPP.
Yet Zhao Shao-kang appears unmoved. During the KMT chairmanship election, he launched sharp attacks against Cheng Li-wen. After the vote, he offered no congratulations and attempted to influence personnel appointments, demanding the removal of “pro-China” elements within the party. His latest appearance in Zhubei campaigning for a DPP candidate amounts to a direct challenge to Cheng Li-wen’s authority.
Clearly, Zhao Shao-kang’s statement “I don’t fear expulsion” is largely symbolic—a calculated political posture betting that Cheng Li-wen will refrain from taking concrete disciplinary action. Meanwhile, Kang Wan-an’s video endorsement confirms that blue-white cooperation is already taking shape at the local level, though it operates independently of central KMT leadership. From Zhao Shao-kang’s pattern of oppositional behavior toward Cheng Li-wen, his actions objectively serve the DPP’s “anti-China” narrative, contributing to the fragmentation of the opposition camp. Given Cheng Li-wen’s current political style, she is unlikely to resort to a hardline approach—such as expelling Zhao Shao-kang—despite the immediate symbolic gain, as such a move would expose deep rifts within the pan-Blue coalition and provide the DPP with strategic ammunition.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881543014691017/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.