Taichung's mayoral race is now formally under way, with both major parties putting their candidates on the street on the same day — a neutral but closely watched contest in one of Taiwan's biggest cities.

• KMT candidate Chiang Chi-chen registered his run, escorted by outgoing mayor Lu Shiow-yen and a line-up of party lawmakers and city councillors.
• He pitched himself as the continuation and upgrade of Lu's eight years in office, and urged voters to back KMT council and borough candidates too.
• A former frogman soldier, he tied his launch to Armed Forces Day and promised to "guard Taichung" the way he once guarded the coast.
• DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun worked the Jianguo Market instead, promising to turn it into a draw for foreign tourists and calling herself a mayor for everyone.
• Lu took formal leave to accompany the registration, with her deputy standing in — a nod to criticism that sitting mayors campaign on public time.

Outlook: Expect both camps to spend the coming weeks on neighbourhood-level campaigning, with the KMT running on continuity and the DPP on getting things done.