Former Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang rarely stood up to campaign for elections. His left foot was weak and needed help.

Former Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang (middle right) is supported on stage by KMT Taichung mayoral candidate Jiang Qichen and blue committee member Liao Weixiang. (Photo by reporter Huang Xulei)

Former Taichung Mayor Hu Zhiqiang has been in power for 13 years and has rarely appeared in elections in recent years. On Sunday (27th), he rarely appeared on the platform for the KMT's candidate for Xitun District Councilor Yang Dahong. Hu Zhiqiang's left foot was obviously weak and he was unable to climb the 6th stage on his own. He needed to be supported by the KMT's Taichung mayor candidate Jiang Qichen and blue committee member Liao Weixiang. His health condition worried supporters.

Hu Zhiqiang was supported on the stage by Jiang Qichen, Liao Weixiang and Yang Dahong's father Yang Zhengzhong. He said to his supporters with great enthusiasm, "Long time no see and I miss you very much." Senior voters gave warm applause in the audience. Hu Zhiqiang continued that when Yang Zhengzhong was a member of the assembly, he was extremely strict in managing people. "The most vicious person was to control me." He also taught a good son (Yang Dahong).

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When Hu Zhiqiang delivered his speech, his left foot went limp for a while, causing others to worry. Then he loudly expressed that Taichung now has a very good mother mayor (Lu Xiuyan). She is very good. I will shut up when she comes, haha.

Hu Zhiqiang is 78 years old. The problems with his left foot and leg mainly stem from a minor stroke he suffered during a trip to the United States in August 2002, and an accidental sprain in 2008 that damaged his left foot. Hu Zhiqiang once said that through rehabilitation and cycling, although his left foot is still lame when walking, he is full of energy.