In contrast to Tsai Ing-wen, whose speeches are always carefully scripted, and who either walks away when people ask pressing questions or emphasizes “we’ll talk about it next time,” claims it’s “not today’s topic,” or deflects with “what’s your opinion?”—William Lai today evidently proved he is a politician who speaks with conviction and maintains a firm stance.
Because Lai openly stated in the municipal assembly when responding to councilors’ questions that he “advocates Taiwan independence.”
Some believe Lai’s three loud declarations of support for Taiwan independence in the assembly are part of a white-face and black-face game he’s playing with Tsai Ing-wen.
But Lai’s fanfare at this moment, directly addressing the core issue without concealment, publicly declaring his political position advocating for Taiwan independence, must have calculations going on in his mind.
Some say he’s doing this to mask Tainan’s dengue fever outbreak and record-breaking death tolls, attempting to shift media focus (this tactic works particularly well on the deep-green Tainan population).
Some say he’s laying down the red carpet for himself as Tsai Ing-wen’s right-hand deputy.
Actually, three months ago Lai had the best prospects and was one of the strongest candidates supporting Tsai Ing-wen most steadfastly. It’s just that the recent dengue fever incident badly damaged Lai Shen’s reputation.
A friend shared a morbid joke I’d like to share with everyone.
Everyone knows Taiwan’s independence in English is “Tainan Independent.” If you change independence to dengue, it becomes “Tainan Indenguenet,” short for Tainan dengue fever.
Mayor Lai, instead of wasting time on political maneuvering or going down to underground water pipes to take propaganda photos of yourself fishing mosquito larvae, why not spend more time on mosquito control?
The truth is, when I saw the photo of Lai openly declaring his support for Taiwan independence in the Tainan municipal assembly, I couldn’t help but think of someone—the person in the cover photo, the “Father of Democracy” Lee Teng-hui.
Look how similar the corners of their mouths are.