Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has kicked off his re-election campaign, setting up his first support group in Wenshan District, a stronghold for the blue camp — a steady, solid opening move for the Kuomintang.

• Chiang Wan-an established a support group in Wenshan District, the first of Taipei's 12 administrative districts.
• Wenshan was chosen because of strong local support for the blue camp, and because Chiang Wan-an studied at National Chengchi University and met his wife there, giving him deep ties to the area.
• The Kuomintang's Taipei City party headquarters said support groups in all 12 districts will be set up one after another, running through late October, with most scheduled for weekends.
• Chiang Wan-an is campaigning primarily on his record, including the start of construction on the MRT's southern loop section, promoting urban renewal, and restoring the Double Ninth Festival senior citizens' cash gift.
• He stressed that this campaign is not only about his own re-election, but also about boosting Kuomintang city councillors and borough chiefs to win by large margins alongside him.

Outlook: The support groups will make their way through every district in Taipei by the end of October, with campaign mobilisation gradually heating up.