The visit came as Tsai has remained highly visible on social media after leaving office, with recent appearances alongside Democratic Progressive Party candidates in other parts of Taiwan.

By Eryk Michael Smith / Staff KAOHSIUNG — With his second term nearing its end, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) presented what…

Ministry of Transportation (MOTC) data indicates that the overwhelming majority of traffic accidents and hit-and-run incidents in Kaohsiung continue to involve Taiwanese citizens. Critics of proposed crackdowns have previously noted that focusing solely on migrant workers may overlook broader systemic issues, such as the general lack of road safety infrastructure or the high volume of unlicensed Taiwanese drivers.

Disputed data on growth, wages and tourism highlight tensions over Kaohsiung’s economic direction.

Ko said defense procurement should be guided by strategic priorities and fiscal discipline, adding that spending related to domestic production and industrial support should be incorporated into regular annual budgets to ensure legislative oversight.

Notably, 68% of Kuomintang (KMT) supporters expressed satisfaction with his performance, while approval among Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) supporters exceeded 93%.

A brief meeting between the KMT’s Ko Chih-en and the TPP’s Ko Wen-je is drawing attention amid ongoing speculation over a possible KMT–TPP alignment in Kaohsiung, where the race between Ko and the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) will likely narrow despite Lai currently enjoying a large lead in many polls.

Both Lu and Chen are increasing their international exposure. Both are building networks beyond Taiwan. And both are operating in spaces that historically serve as stepping stones to national leadership.

By RK Shih / Staff. Image via KH City Govt. KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) departed for the United States…

The seminar concluded with a renewed appeal from participants to treat the proposed defense spending budget as a non-partisan security imperative before the mid-March deadline.