Taipei needs vision, not sound bites

The first televised Taipei mayoral debate on Saturday opened with the two candidates, incumbent Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋), giving their opening remarks. Chiang immediately criticized his opponent for talking a good game, but failing to deliver. Shen, who had spoken first, began by wishing Chiang, who had called in sick two days before the debate, a speedy recovery before moving on to discuss his vision for city governance. One candidate launched an attack; the other offered his regards and a vision for the city’s future.

In the second part of the debate, Chiang repeatedly said that Shen did not understand city governance, and mocked the legislator for responses Chiang deemed unrelated or off topic. After nearly four years of experience in office, Chiang has certain advantages, but he cannot simply rest on his laurels; he needs to explain his plans for the next term. Criticizing his opponent’s supposed lack of knowledge is not a substitute for an articulated vision of the city’s future.

When answering questions, Chiang often consulted his notes. Confirming government performance statistics is one thing, but a mayor who insists on his opponent’s incompetence should perhaps be able to commit his own policy priorities to memory.

Chiang cited as his accomplishments the completion of the Taipei Dome, Nvidia’s new domestic headquarters in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, the free milk program for students and his ability to deliver on his word. He also touted plans for an artificial intelligence (AI) park.

However, questions remain about how he intends to improve traffic congestion, the safety of aging buildings and child protection.

Shen has emphasized putting residents first throughout his campaign. He talked about using AI to organize public feedback, and organizing town hall meetings and municipal hackathons to involve residents in setting policy and decisionmaking. He also listed three priorities for his first 100 days in office: replanting trees, addressing failures in child welfare and reforming the school lunch program. These provide concrete objectives to measure his performance against.

During closing remarks, Chiang used his final seconds to talk about a supporter at a night market who offered him sympathies for the “bullying” he has faced on the campaign trail.

Meanwhile, Shen quoted from the Li Yun (禮運, “Evolution of Ritual”) chapter of the Book of Rites (禮記) to illustrate a vision of a Taipei in which all residents enjoy stable and secure lives.

What the people of Taipei most want to know is what meaningful changes the next four years would bring. They do not need soundbites and character attacks; they need a vision for the city’s future.