The race for Taipei mayor is heating up early, as Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen plans to pay cross-party visits to the city's former mayors. Ko Wen-je has taken an open attitude toward the idea, a signal that is neutral to mildly positive for Shen's campaign.

• Shen has confirmed arrangements to call on former President Chen Shui-bian, and is expected to travel south to Tainan within a month.
• His list of people to consult spans the Blue, Green and White camps, including Ma Ying-jeou, Hau Lung-bin and Ko Wen-je.
• Ko said there was "nothing wrong with it," but that he is in southern Taiwan this week, so any meeting would have to wait until next week.
• Ko also speculated that former minister without portfolio Chang Ching-sen would serve as Shen's strategist.
• Pressed on what advice he would offer, Ko said he had not given it any thought and that it would depend on what he was asked.

Outlook: A time for the meeting is likely to be set next week, and cross-party consultations are set to be the main thrust of the early stage of Shen's campaign.