Hsinchu political tensions rise amid election registrations

Political tensions are escalating in Hsinchu County and Zhu Bei as candidates register for upcoming elections. The breakdown of cooperation between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) regarding the Zhu Bei mayoral race has become a central point of contention. TPP officials have accused KMT candidate Xu Xinying of failing to honor verbal agreements to allow the TPP to field a candidate in Zhu Bei.

In Hsinchu City, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Ke Jian-ming criticized incumbent Mayor Kao Hung-an, questioning her doctoral degree. Kao's campaign responded by stating her degree from the University of Cincinnati has never been revoked and accused Ke of spreading misinformation.

During Xu Xinying's registration for Hsinchu County Magistrate, former magistrate Fan Zhen-zong drew criticism for an aggressive gesture toward KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen, which he described as acting out of “deep love and sharp criticism” regarding the party's strategic failures. Meanwhile, former professional baseball player Hsu Chu-chien has announced his candidacy for Hsinchu City Councilor as an independent.