The combination of Shen Boyang and Lai Ruilong in Kaohsiung triggered a crowd of 30,000 people, and the ocean current highlighted the social and political energy of Taiwan

◎shima fire

The "ocean current" set off by Shen Boyang, the Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, has blown from the streets of Taipei all the way to Kaohsiung. On September 19, he reunited with Democratic Progressive Party Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Ruilong in Kaohsiung. The police estimated that about 30,000 people poured into the vicinity of Heroes Road and Guangrong Pier. It took half an hour to walk hundreds of meters, and the crowds even caused jostling at one point. This momentum cannot be interpreted as just an election campaign. It at least proves that there is still a strong political energy gathering in Taiwanese society.

Shen Boyang (right) and Democratic Progressive Party Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Ruilong (left) reunited in Kaohsiung on September 19. (File photo) This is the most noteworthy thing about "ocean currents". This may not be just Shen Boyang's personal popularity, but it may be that some voters have finally found an outlet for their long-standing dissatisfaction with the pro-China line. Blue and White can advocate cross-strait exchanges and criticize the DPP, but it cannot label everyone who questions China's risks, nor can it expect Taiwanese to always turn a blind eye to China's pressure.

An event of 30,000 people cannot directly equate to votes, let alone predict the election results, but democratic politics inherently requires this kind of collision. Some people support pro-China exchanges, while others demand greater vigilance; some believe that getting closer to China can reduce risks, while others believe that over-reliance is the biggest risk. The more intense this debate becomes, the more opportunities the people will have to see clearly where each political party really wants to take Taiwan.

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So, ocean currents deserve to be seen. It is not anyone's private property, but a political signal that voters use their feet to step out. If Blue and White still take the pro-China line for granted, the Taiwanese people can use democratic votes and public participation to give their own reactions. The wind direction will change, and so will the ocean currents; what truly cannot be changed is the right of Taiwanese people to determine their own future.

30,000 people crowded the Love River Bay, rushing to shake hands with Shen Boyang and Lai Ruilong for photos. (File photo) (The author is in business)