As the Taipei mayoral race warms up, DPP candidate Shen Po-yang responded to a reminder that he has yet to pay a courtesy call on former President Chen Shui-bian, saying such a visit is already being planned.

• Former Minister without Portfolio Chang Ching-sen pointed out at a dinner gathering of Chen Shui-bian's Taipei City Government team that Shen Po-yang had not yet visited A-bian.
• Shen Po-yang said a visit is already in the works, and that he regards the reform of civil service culture during A-bian's term as an important reference.
• He is campaigning on reform of the civil service system, including a stress-reduction programme for public servants, the Taipei Research Institute in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park, and measures to protect the integrity of civil servants so that they dare to get things done but do not dare to do wrong.
• He stressed the need to build a city government culture that is willing to admit mistakes, rather than withholding information or lying when questioned by city councillors.

Outlook: The visit to Chen Shui-bian is expected to take place in the near future, and reform of the civil service system will be the main appeal of Shen Po-yang's campaign.