Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visited Yilan's 100-year-old distillery, a boost for the state liquor maker and for local politicians pushing Yilan tourism ahead of next year's local elections.

• Hsiao called Taiwan's state-made liquor a standout gift Taiwan already uses in its diplomacy abroad.
• Former DPP spokesperson Han Ying, whose father worked at the distillery for years, led the tour and was openly pitched as the right person to market Yilan and the liquor brand.
• Executive Yuan adviser Lin Kuo-chang wants the distillery tied into a walking heritage trail linking Yilan's old-town museums, temples and the station shopping district.
• Hsiao thanked distillery workers and union reps for carrying the load as the industry changes, and tied the visit to President Lai Ching-te's push for balanced regional growth.
• The stop doubled as a political signal, with the message that delivering that growth needs friendly mayors and county chiefs in place.

Outlook: Expect more central-government backing for Yilan's old-town tourism plan, and more talk of Han Ying as a local candidate.