As the Taipei mayoral race heats up, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Puma Shen has taken his campaign into the Presbyterian Church, while deliberately playing down talk of a "vote bank" — a moderate signal to Green camp supporters and an open posture toward Blue camp voters.

• Shen set up a Christian support group at the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan's Chi-nan Church, a move widely seen as shoring up the Green camp's core base.
• He pushed back on that characterisation, saying no organisation has any obligation to take one side and that votes must be earned.
• He focused on long-term care and care for elderly people with dementia, saying he wants to learn how the government can work with the private sector to care for residents.
• The previous day, he sought advice from Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai on governance experience in AI, data, urban renewal and social housing.
• He also took aim at his rival Chiang Wan-an from afar, saying that answering B when asked A, and giving replies beside the point, is what really shows disrespect to the media.

Outlook: The Taipei mayoral race is set to keep heating up around debate clashes and organised voting blocs such as religious and social welfare groups.