A family split across Taiwan's political divide is playing out in public, but so far with humor rather than friction.

• Organizers of a "Zhan Mei Arts Festival" banquet, a social-media-driven event in Tainan, have applied to the city for a venue.
• Tainan mayor Huang Wei-che said the city will judge the application on the rules alone and stay politically neutral.
• His sister, commentator Huang Chih-hsien — known for pro-Beijing views opposite his party's — said online she plans to attend.
• Asked about it, he joked that if she comes, he will treat her to a meal.
• The site is rumored to be near the Tainan municipal stadium, but neither the organizers nor the city sports bureau will confirm it; the organizer says a large open lot has been picked and will be announced soon.

Outlook: The venue decision will be the real test of whether Tainan can keep the neutral line it is promising.