This newspaper and six other media co-organized the debate, and Shen Boyang immediately agreed

The Taipei mayoral election debate schedule continues to attract attention. In addition to the TV debate co-organized by TVBS and Sanli, DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan both agreed to include a cross-examination session, but there is still no consensus on the time for the debate to be held. Regarding the statement issued yesterday by six media outlets including the Liberty Times, inviting candidates for Taipei mayor to debate, Shen immediately signed a consent form, but Chiang did not agree at the first time. However, after the consultation between the two sides, Chiang Kai-shek announced that it would participate in a second debate co-organized by six media outlets including Liberty Times.

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TVBS and Sanli jointly organize debate

Six media outlets including Liberty Times, China Television, Taiwan Television, FTV, Mirror TV, and China Television jointly issued a statement yesterday inviting candidates to participate in a joint television debate. Six media outlets pointed out that the Taipei mayoral election is related to the future development of the capital, and municipal policies are also closely related to citizens' lives. Therefore, they jointly invited candidates to participate in a joint debate, hoping that through a rational, objective, and equal arrangement, the candidates can fully exchange municipal opinions.

Shen Boyang signed the consent form immediately after receiving it, and expressed the hope that all camps would negotiate as soon as possible. He especially hoped that the debate could have substantive cross-examination and avoid becoming a political opinion presentation. Shen Ye said that there are many issues in Beishi and it is difficult to go into depth in just one session. Jiang Wanan said that the focus is on hosting, and the winner will be the one with the most number of events. According to the customary Taipei mayoral election, a TV debate will be held. A consensus has been reached and signed with TVBS, and details such as time, location, and format will be negotiated in the future.

The Taipei Mayor’s Televised Debate Consultation Meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Representatives of Chiang Kai-shek and Shen Shen received briefings on the planning and procedures of the debate from TVBS and Sanli yesterday. The organizer proposed to hold the first debate on October 31. Chiang Kai-shek’s camp agreed on the spot and adjusted the schedule to accommodate it. However, Shen’s team did not confirm the date and needed to bring it back for discussion. Chiang Kai-shek later criticized Shen's team for using the debate as a tool for mobilization and then running away from negotiations, calling for a timetable to be finalized as soon as possible.

Shen Boyang was dissatisfied with being accused of running away from the battle. He posted on Threads last night and pointed out, "Every time I am interviewed, I say that we can debate now. If possible, there will be no problem tonight!"

Cai Yikai, spokesman for Shen Boyang's campaign office, said that both parties confirmed that they would be included in the cross-examination session, and that Shen Ying affirmed Mayor Chiang's camp's acceptance of cross-examination. Cai said that Shen Boyang hoped to hold four debates, and during the negotiations, representatives from the Chiang camp did not relent on their willingness to participate in several debates. The number of debates involves theme setting, issue arrangement and election schedule planning; as Chiang Wanan’s camp has not yet given a clear answer on the number of debates, it is difficult to reach a consensus on the overall arrangement.

Cai Yikai also said that the faster the debate, the better. There is no need to wait until the end of the month, it can be on the 24th, not necessarily Saturday, and can also be discussed on weekdays and Sundays.

However, when the Chiang camp accepted a joint interview with the media after the meeting, it stated that it would participate in the second debate jointly invited by China Television, Taiwan Television, FTV, Mirror TV, Liberty Times, and China Television.