tái běi shì zhǎng

台北市长

xuǎn jǔ

选举

yǔ

与

wài bù

外部

yǐng xiǎng

影响

The Taipei mayoral election has entered its final stage. Chiang Wan-an, the incumbent mayor from the Kuomintang, had originally held a larger lead, but Shen Pao-yang of the Democratic Progressive Party later gained more support, narrowing the gap between the two.

Relevant authorities in mainland China announced sanctions against the trading company of Shen Pao-yang's father, saying that Shen opposes the mainland and supports Taiwan independence.

Shen Pao-yang said that his father has done business in South America for many years, simply buying goods from Chinese companies and selling them locally, rather than making money in China.

Relevant authorities in Taiwan believe that the sanctions are intended to influence the election and could also cause resentment among Taiwanese voters.

Chiang Wan-an said that Shen Pao-yang should explain his family's business himself.

Surveys show that Chiang Wan-an is still ahead, but some voters remain undecided.

Citizens supporting different candidates all said that the sanctions would not change their choice.

Analysts believe that outside forces find it difficult to directly change election results. A candidate's abilities, policies, and a party's organizational work usually have a greater influence on voters.