Taiwan Forward opened a joint campaign headquarters in Zhubei, where New Power Party Chairwoman Claire Wang took aim at the Hsinchu County government — bad news for the ruling team, and an opening for voters looking for a change.

• Wang Wan-yu criticised Hsinchu County and Zhubei City for long-standing problems in public infrastructure, transport and education, saying that quality of life has not kept pace with the rapid influx of residents.

• The Zhubei sinkhole and the Fengcai 520 scandal remain unresolved, with construction still unfinished and some individuals already indicted and convicted at first instance.

• She singled out County Magistrate Yang Wen-ke for pouring resources into overseas exchanges without delivering tangible benefits for residents, and said the reports on those exchanges were "packed with lies."

• She campaigned for Taiwan Forward candidates including Chang Yu-tzu, Li Ya-fen, Hung Jui-chin and Hsu Yu-lun, pitching their entry into the county council as a way to strengthen oversight.

• On KMT–TPP cooperation, she said parties must maintain their own distinct identity, and that any cooperation must first be explained clearly to members and voters in terms of principles.

Outlook: Ahead of the year-end local elections, Hsinchu County's construction scandals and the county government's performance are set to remain a central line of attack for smaller parties.