Kuomintang New Taipei mayoral candidate Li Si-chuan has unveiled policy proposals in Zhonghe to accelerate urban renewal in ageing communities and extend the MRT, a boost for local property owners and commuters.

• Li's central pitch is "Urban Renewal 5 Power-Ups," aimed at speeding up the redevelopment of older communities in Zhonghe and Yonghe and improving residential safety.
• If elected mayor, he will set up a city-government-level urban renewal steering committee and convene it personally, coordinating across departments and cutting administrative delays.
• On transport, he is promoting "Rail Construction 123," pushing for northward and southward extensions of the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line's Guangfu section.
• The northern extension would run to the Taipei Dome and then connect to Songshan Airport, while the southern extension would reach Shisizhang, linking up with the Circular Line and the Ankeng Light Rail.
• The Zhonghe forum drew 500 local residents and more than 40 borough chiefs in a show of support, a clear sign of local mobilising power.

Outlook: Urban renewal and the MRT extensions are set to become the main points of contention in this New Taipei mayoral race, though actual progress will depend on whether central and local government resources can be brought together after the election.