The Kaohsiung mayoral race has officially begun, with the DPP's Lai Jui-lung completing his registration and incumbent Mayor Chen Chi-mai publicly backing him — good news for unity within the pan-green camp.

• Lai Jui-lung registered his mayoral candidacy at the Kaohsiung Election Commission on the morning of September 2, accompanied by members of the "Kaohsiung Grand Alliance" in a show of momentum.
• The "mystery guest" trailed in advance was revealed to be incumbent Mayor Chen Chi-mai, amounting to a public handover of the baton.
• Before registering, he first paid his respects at Kangkou Cihui Temple and delivered remarks, then walked to the election commission.
• Lai Jui-lung campaigned under the slogan "Fight, Fight, Fight," aiming not only to win the mayoralty but also to secure a majority of council seats.
• Citing 10 years in the city government and 10 years as a legislator, he positioned himself as the "fourth runner" after Frank Hsieh, Chen Chu and Chen Chi-mai.

Outlook: The pan-green camp has settled on its candidate in Kaohsiung; attention now turns to how the KMT and TPP put forward a rival and close the gap.