Taiwan's 2026 local elections are under way, and the DPP has put forward young candidate Chen Chun-yen in Banqiao, New Taipei, campaigning on quality-of-life policies — a positive signal for local voters and for the party's strategy in New Taipei.

• Chen Chun-yen has completed his registration and is contesting the Banqiao District city councillor seat under the theme "Reform Banqiao."
• He will also be campaigning on behalf of Su Chiao-hui, the DPP's candidate for New Taipei mayor, in order to secure more resources for Banqiao.
• His platform covers six areas: sports, healthcare, culture, education, transport, and housing.
• Key pledges include a 10-minute all-ages sports and recreation zone, links between community healthcare and long-term care, seismic retrofitting and lift installation for older buildings, and improvements to dangerous intersections and pedestrian spaces.
• He is the son of incumbent city councillor Shih I-yu and has worked as a substitute teacher, with a focus on campus safety and reducing teachers' administrative workloads.

Outlook: As the registration period gets under way, the New Taipei race will gradually heat up, and densely populated constituencies such as Banqiao will become key battlegrounds contested by the KMT and the DPP.