Taiwan's ruling-party rivalry over New Taipei City is heating up as registration opens for the year-end local elections, and the mayor is signaling support without committing to a public appearance.

• New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih called KMT candidate Li Si-chuan an old ally he has fought alongside, and said they will push forward together.
• Hou dodged the direct question of whether he will stand beside Li at the registration desk, saying Li's team will announce its own plans.
• Speculation has been building that Hou will join Li's campaign headquarters, a move that would carry weight in a city of four million residents.
• Hou said Li will keep rolling out policy proposals, and that New Taipei's voters are his strongest backing.

Outlook: Li's campaign is expected to reveal its registration and campaign lineup shortly, which will show how visibly Hou intends to back him.