Danjiang Bridge Opening Ceremony Snub Sparks Controversy: Central Government Criticized for Political Maneuvering Against Local Officials

The official opening ceremony of the Danjiang Bridge on May 12, 2026, sparked a political firestorm due to the controversial guest list. It was revealed that the central government-hosted ceremony failed to formally invite the Mayor of New Taipei City and other local officials, resulting in their absence from a major celebration deeply connected to local transportation. New Taipei City Government and opposition parties slammed the move as blatant political manipulation, designed to claim sole credit for the infrastructure project while deliberately sidelining local leaders not aligned with the ruling party. Critics argue that public infrastructure achievements belong to all citizens, and the administration's decision to narrow a national celebration into a partisan event disregards the long-term contributions of local government in land acquisition and supporting infrastructure, severely damaging central-local relations.