Zhang Shanzheng once said that Tsai Ing-wen does not understand the heart of parents. Huang Shijie: Marriage and childbirth are not a criterion for measuring public service capabilities.
Quick Look
- DPP Taoyuan mayoral candidate Huang Shijie responded to the old controversy in 2019 when KMT candidate Zhang Shanzheng questioned Tsai Ing-wen's understanding of the heart of parents.
- He emphasized that marriage and childbirth are personal choices and should not be used as a measure of ability, empathy or public service qualifications.
- He also called on Zhang Shanzheng to face up to his past speeches and explain his position.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In 2019, Zhang Shanzheng questioned Tsai Ing-wen's "understanding of parental love" because she did not have children. This controversial incident was brought up again during the 2026 Taoyuan mayoral election and became a focus of debate between candidates from the two parties.
DPP Taoyuan mayoral candidate Huang Shijie (left) accompanied former President Tsai Ing-wen (right) to visit the Daxi Old Tea Factory in September. (Photo courtesy of Huang Shijie Bidding)
In 2019, Kuomintang Taoyuan mayoral candidate Zhang Shanzheng questioned former President Tsai Ing-wen because she did not have children. Now that the old controversy has been brought up again, DPP Taoyuan mayoral candidate Huang Shijie said that marriage and childbirth are everyone's independent choices and should not be a criterion for measuring personal ability, empathy or public service qualifications.
Huang Shijie said that as a father, he has a deep understanding of the responsibilities and concerns of raising children. However, whether or not one has children is not necessarily related to a person's ability to care about society and value the next generation, and the value of women should not be judged by their marital and childbearing status.
"As a local chief, Mayor Zhang Shanzheng should view gender equality and diverse values with a more prudent attitude." Huang Shijie emphasized that respecting women should not be just a slogan, but should be concretely implemented in words, deeds, and governance. The next generation should be truly valued and should be tested based on the actual results of education, childcare, youth and other policies, rather than using personal family experience as the basis for evaluating others. He called on Zhang to face up to his past speeches and clearly explain his current position on this issue to respond to society's expectations for gender equality.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Zhang Shanzheng will issue clarifications or explanations on old speeches in 2019
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Zhang Shanzheng’s specific response to his speech in 2019
- The specific impact of this controversy on the Taoyuan mayoral election
