Taiwan's two main parties both made a show of unity in Taichung as candidate registration opened for the November local elections, setting up a close fight for one of the island's biggest cities.

• Ho Hsin-chun of the ruling DPP registered with lawmaker Tsai Chi-chang at her side, backed by a crowd of party city council candidates.
• She named Tsai as her campaign chief and said former president Tsai Ing-wen agreed to serve as honorary chair, a sign the party is putting weight behind Taichung.
• The opposition KMT turned out in force too, with Chiang Chi-chen and outgoing mayor Lu Shiu-yen escorting the council speaker, deputy speaker and more than 30 party council candidates to register together.
• Chiang is holding his own registration until the next day; the KMT is running on eight years of city growth, while the DPP says Taichung has stood still while Kaohsiung and Tainan moved ahead.

Outlook: Taichung is shaping up as one of the marquee contests of the November 28 local elections, with both parties betting on unity to carry the city.