The race for Taipei mayor is heating up early, as Democratic Progressive Party candidate Shen Po-yang ventured into a traditional Kuomintang stronghold and drew a large crowd — good news for Green camp morale, and a warning sign for the KMT's base in Da'an District.

• Shen canvassed the Linjiang Street Night Market in Da'an District on Sunday evening, with supporters queuing from dusk to have their photos taken with him and the venue packed to capacity.
• Da'an District has long been regarded as a rock-solid deep-blue area, and the spillover of his popularity into the district suggests the electoral picture there may be loosening.
• Vendors said it was the busiest day in two years, while also taking the opportunity to complain that business is difficult and that quite a few shops in the night market have already closed.
• An "Ocean Current" poster designed for him by supporters has gone viral online, becoming a talking point of the campaign.

Outlook: With the race entering the grassroots mobilisation stage, the Blue camp's defensive position in Da'an District and the state of the night market economy are expected to become the main points of contention in the period ahead.