Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun appeared in person to lend her support to Taipei City councillor candidate Lai Yi-jen, signalling the high importance the pan-blue camp places on a young newcomer in the Shilin–Beitou constituency.

• At the opening of Lai Yi-jen's campaign office, Cheng Li-wun presented "frozen garlic" as a play on the Taiwanese phrase "dongsuan" (get elected), wishing him good fortune.
• Legislators Lo Ming-tsai, Hsu Chiao-hsin, Weng Hsiao-ling, Hung Meng-kai and Yeh Yuan-chih, among other pan-blue figures, were in attendance, giving the event considerable momentum.
• Cheng Li-wun stressed that Lai Yi-jen started out helping with grassroots campaign work and remained undeterred despite the impact of last year's mass recall campaign.
• Lai Yi-jen recently staged a lengthy hunger strike in sweltering heat in the name of anti-drug advocacy, seen as proof of his determination.
• The constituency is home to several highly experienced senior politicians, so winning a seat remains an uphill battle for a newcomer.

Outlook: With the nine-in-one local elections approaching, the pan-blue camp will continue to rally support for its young candidates, and competition in the Shilin–Beitou constituency is expected to intensify.