The race for New Taipei mayor has entered the registration stage, with the Kuomintang camp stressing unity — a positive signal for Li Si-chun's campaign.

• Registration for the local elections closes on the 4th, and Kuomintang New Taipei mayoral candidate Li Si-chun is expected to file his candidacy at the New Taipei Election Commission.
• Asked whether he would accompany Li to register, incumbent mayor Hou Yu-ih did not commit, saying only that Li is the "strongest bellwether" and that he himself is willing to serve as his strongest backer.
• Hou's aides said that "registering a candidacy is the candidate's own turf," and that Hou's campaign support schedule will follow the arrangements made by Li Si-chun's campaign office.
• Hou has no public engagements on the morning of the 4th, and must be at the city council before 2 p.m. for interviews and to take questions in the general interpellation session, leaving it uncertain whether he will accompany Li to register.
• Li Si-chun will hold his first large-scale rally at Banqiao Gymnasium on September 12, and Hou Yu-ih has confirmed he will attend to show his support.

Outlook: Once registration is complete, the blue camp will formally appear together at the September 12 Banqiao rally, presenting a united front between the mayor and the candidate.