The race for Taipei mayor has begun early. Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen has issued a public invitation to debate, while incumbent mayor Chiang Wan-an has responded by pointing to his record and steering clear of the debate question. Support for the two remains closely contested.

• Shen called on Chiang to face policy questions in person rather than sending department heads to stand in for him, and said the more debates the better.
• Chiang did not give a direct answer, talking instead about how the city government briefs the media on municipal affairs every day and stressing his focus on getting real work done.
• The record Chiang put forward includes an increase in the new childcare subsidy, an expansion of the egg-freezing subsidy, and the imminent opening of the MRT Xinyi Line east extension.
• Taipei's electorate has traditionally leaned pan-blue, but continuing controversies over the skyline, sports stations and the "night-time mayor" have made this race less straightforward than in past years.
• Shen has drawn strong crowds on his street canvassing, a phenomenon described as the "Puma current", though every senior party figure scheduled to attend one local meet-and-greet failed to show up.

Outlook: Chiang is unlikely to accept the debate invitation any time soon, and the campaign will centre on a contest between his municipal record and his opponent's popularity on the streets.