A new variable has emerged in the political landscape of Tainan, Taiwan, as the Chen family has declared its support for Chen Ting-fei — good news for her bid for the Tainan mayoralty.

• Chen Hsing-yu publicly declined to run for the Legislative Yuan, stressing that her identity is that of a dentist.
• She stated that she will vote for Chen Ting-fei in the next Tainan mayoral election, and Chen Ting-fei responded with thanks.
• Kuomintang legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh had earlier claimed that Chen Shui-bian was engaging in political manoeuvring by pushing Chen Hsing-yu to run for the legislature.
• Hsieh Lung-chieh himself has also entered the next Tainan mayoral race, setting the two up as rivals.
• Rumours circulated earlier that Chao Chien-ming had opened a new clinic in Taichung, but this was ultimately confirmed to be a case of mistaken identity involving someone else.

Outlook: The Tainan mayoral race is expected to centre on Hsieh Lung-chieh and Chen Ting-fei, and the Chen family's show of support will be a key signal for internal consolidation within the pan-green camp.