Taiwan's People's Party is pushing back on outside advice about its Taipei mayoral pick, a sign of friction as the island heads into year-end local elections.

• Former cabinet minister Chang Ching-sen suggested the TPP draft ex-lawmaker Huang Shan-shan to run for Taipei mayor.
• TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang dismissed the idea, saying a former DPP official has no business telling his party what to do.
• A former TPP member predicted the party could end up with fewer than 10 city councillors nationwide once registration closes at the end of August.
• Huang Kuo-chang said he is confident in the party's slate and questioned whether public sniping is really meant to win votes or just win attention.

Outlook: Candidate registration closes August 31, which will show whether the TPP runs alone in Taipei or cuts a deal with the KMT.