The New Taipei mayoral race has entered the stage of competing policy platforms, with the two parties' candidates each unveiling sports-related benefits on the same day — good news for residents hoping to receive subsidies, but also a shift in the campaign's focus from infrastructure to handing out money.

• Kuomintang candidate Lee Shih-chuan is promoting a "New Taipei Sports Voucher" worth NT$500 per person, with 150,000 issued each year, usable for tickets, class registration fees or venue rentals.
• Lee also wants to speed up construction of a New Taipei dome complex, bid to host the World Baseball Classic and Major League Baseball overseas games, and has pledged to complete the Shulin dome within eight years.
• Democratic Progressive Party candidate Su Chiao-hui has proposed a "Sweat Bonus," under which points accumulated through exercise could be used to offset public transport fares, convenience store purchases and venue fees.
• Su also wants to push forward the second Xinzhuang national sports centre and to seek central government funding, with Minister of Sports Lee Yang stating that he will help local governments apply.
• Both platforms rely on public budgets, and where the money will come from remains an unresolved question.

Outlook: Both candidates are expected to keep raising the stakes with sports and cash-based policy pledges, with funding sources and feasibility set to become the focus of the coming exchanges.