A Taichung city delegation heading to China has become a political flashpoint, putting pressure on mayor Lu Shiow-yen as a likely 2028 presidential contender.

• Taichung's deputy mayor Cheng Chao-hsin will lead a delegation to a Taiwan products expo in Dongguan, China in early September.
• Opposition DPP councillors say the trip looks like groundwork for Lu Shiow-yen's future China policy, not just help for Taiwanese businesses.
• The expo's organisers include Chinese local government bodies that handle Taiwan affairs, which is why the guest list is drawing scrutiny.
• City officials insist it is a routine business event and that other Taiwanese cities are sending people too.
• One councillor handed the deputy mayor a cap stitched with Taiwan's flag and told him to wear it in China.

Outlook: Expect the trip and anything said during it to be read as an early signal of where Lu Shiow-yen would stand on China if she runs in 2028.