A Taipei mayoral candidate is defending a high school student who asked him to sign an old school award certificate with Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an's name struck out, in a spat that says more about campaign temperature than policy.

• The student brought a junior-high academic award, with Kao's name crossed off, to a market in Taipei's Zhongshan district for candidate Puma Shen to sign.
• Photos of the signed certificate spread online and drew a wave of criticism aimed at the student.
• Shen said the signature carried no disrespect toward Kao and that elections should not be used to shut down free speech or creativity.
• He urged people to keep the fight on city governance and policy rather than going after a teenager.
• Asked whether hostility in the race is rising, he said disputes stay civil when people argue over policies instead of personalities.

Outlook: With campaigning heating up, expect more of these online flashpoints as the Taipei mayoral race builds toward election day.