Taiwan's election watchdog is backing a legal warning sent to hundreds of local officials, a move the opposition KMT calls intimidation but that regulators say will clean up the vote.

• Taichung prosecutors mailed 625 borough chiefs a letter saying free or cut-price China trips tied to backing a party or candidate could break Taiwan's anti-infiltration and election laws.
• Penalties for funding or organizing such trips run up to ten years in prison, with sentences half again as long if the money comes from outside Taiwan.
• The KMT says the letter is meant to scare local officials; the Central Election Commission chief calls it a necessary reminder that improves election conduct.
• The November 28 local elections are 100 days out, with candidate registration opening August 31 and three referendums possibly attached to the ballot.
• Normal cross-strait exchange trips by local officials are not affected, only ones directed or paid for by outside forces.

Outlook: Expect more enforcement warnings and fights over China-linked influence as campaigning ramps up toward the November vote.