Organizers said more than 50,000 people attended the launch of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's campaign headquarters on Oct. 26. Chang Yu-meng countered that a full Taipei Dome holds only 40,000, and a blogger estimated around 4,000, but no independent count has been confirmed.
According to SET News and the Liberty Times, the Kuomintang mayor's campaign headquarters launch was held on the afternoon of Oct. 26 at Dunhua Junior High School in Taipei. Organizers said at about 3 p.m. that more than 30,000 had arrived, then announced around 4:23 p.m. that over 50,000 were inside and outside the venue, apologizing to those who could not get in.
광고 문의 · 300×250Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen attended and was warmly greeted, while TV host Tsai Kang-yung chatted with Chiang on stage. Many supporters wore white, and Chiang used the slogan ‘Taipei Encore’. In a TVBS interview he said the turnout exceeded expectations and called the launch a milestone that boosted his confidence.
Chang Yu-meng's challenge and a blogger's estimate
The Liberty Times reported that Chang Yu-meng pointed out that a full Taipei Dome seats only 40,000, implying that 50,000 seemed high for a school playground. The specific basis for this remark and any separate measurement method could not be confirmed beyond the headline.
The Liberty Times also reported that blogger ‘Sichamao’ claimed, based on photos, that the crowd was at most around 4,000. The paper relayed netizen claims that tour buses were parked near the venue and snack boxes were handed out. Organizers' detailed response, and how many people came by bus, have not been confirmed.
Impact on the race
Chiang said the crowd at the venue alone was not enough and urged supporters to spread the enthusiasm and canvass for votes. With about 33 days to the election, he conceded that rival Puma Shen's rallies had been ‘very successful’, described himself and his backers as ‘slow to warm up’, and said 98 percent of Shen's ‘Policy Island’ consists of existing Taipei policies.
The attendance dispute is unlikely to be settled soon. No official police or independent estimate has been confirmed in the reports, and the 50,000 figure should be read as the organizers' claim. Huaqiao Times will keep watching how the dispute affects the race.