As the race for Taipei mayor heats up, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen has once again invited his opponent to a debate, while incumbent mayor Chiang Wan-an has not taken up the challenge directly — a situation that works against the challenger.

• With fewer than 100 days to go until the year-end local elections, Shen Po-yang has again proposed a debate on city policy.
• Chiang Wan-an did not agree, saying only that he explains city affairs to the public every day.
• Chiang instead turned to his record in office, including the postpartum meal subsidy, an expansion of egg-freezing subsidies, and the opening of the MRT Xinyi Line east extension at the end of August.
• A new bus shelter in Muzha rusted before it even entered service; Chiang pledged that it would only be signed off once improvements had passed inspection.
• Cooperation between the KMT and the TPP has become a focus, with Chiang saying he is willing to appear at campaign events for city council candidates from both parties in pursuit of maximising seats.

Outlook: Chiang Wan-an is unlikely to accept the debate challenge any time soon, and the campaign will continue to centre on his record in city government and on KMT-TPP integration.