A political fight has broken out in Taiwan over whether a county leader "sold out Taiwan," with a Taipei mayoral candidate accusing the sitting mayor of inventing the whole framing.

• Taitung County Magistrate Rao Ching-ling appeared by pre-recorded video at China's Straits Forum, but Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council investigated and decided not to punish her.
• Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the council owes an apology and mocked the idea that "selling pineapple custard apples means selling out Taiwan."
• DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Bo-yang says the fruit was never part of the case, calling Chiang's line a made-up talking point used for political gain.
• Shen also hit Chiang over the repeatedly delayed MRT Xinyi line extension and being late to a campaign event, saying years of Taipei traffic problems are being brushed off as one missed appointment.

Outlook: The clash sharpens the fight for Taipei mayor, with Shen pressing Chiang to drop the China angle and answer for city issues like food safety and transport delays.