Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen publicly backed Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua during a visit to the county, naming her as an essential figure in the drive to return to power in 2028 — a positive signal for the KMT's local-level integration.

• Lu Shiow-yen attended the Central Taiwan agricultural marketing and sales fair in Nantou, accompanied throughout by Hsu Shu-hua.
• Asked whether, alongside Han Kuo-yu and Chiang Wan-an, a return to power in 2028 also "cannot do without Hsu Shu-hua," Lu Shiow-yen took Hsu's hand and said outright that it could not be done without her.
• Responding to a question about the venue's helium balloon rising "to a higher level," Lu Shiow-yen used the moment to wish Hsu Shu-hua steady advancement, which was read as confidence that Hsu will rise further.
• The fair brings together produce from eight cities and counties, including Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi, and runs until August 30.

Outlook: The remarks will be seen as a bellwether for the KMT's 2028 planning, and speculation about Hsu Shu-hua's next move is only likely to grow.