Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen said he has already scheduled a courtesy call on former President Chen Shui-bian, and has made reform of the civil service system the central plank of his campaign — a plus for a candidate seeking the backing of Chen's faction.

• Former Executive Yuan minister without portfolio Chang Ching-sen publicly pointed out that Shen had not yet paid a courtesy call on Chen Shui-bian.
• Shen responded that the visit had long been planned, and asked everyone to wait and see.
• He stressed that Chen Shui-bian's reform of civil service culture during his time in Taipei was what residents felt most deeply.
• Two months ago he put forward a stress-reduction plan for civil servants, along with a proposal for a Taipei Research Institute at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park.
• He said he wants a city government culture that admits mistakes, rather than one that withholds information or lies during council questioning.

Outlook: The visit will be finalised in the near future, and Shen is expected to continue campaigning primarily on civil service reform.