DPP National Congress Kicks Off! Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai Holds 'Private Talks' with Ying Faction Leader Huang Cheng-kuo Ahead of Event

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) convened its national congress today (19) at the Taipei International Convention Center. The assembly will elect 30 members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) by ballot, followed by an internal election to select 10 members of the Central Standing Committee (CSC), which symbolizes the party’s internal power structure. Notably, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and Huang Cheng-kuo, a senior advisor and key figure in the Ying faction, were seen sharing a meal and sitting side by side, engaging in continuous conversation before the congress began.

It is widely believed that Li Yu-ting, a DPP-affiliated Kaohsiung city councilor who registered as a CEC candidate, is backed by Chen Chi-mai. Therefore, Chen’s pre-congress meal with a senior Ying faction figure has sparked significant speculation about potential factional coordination.

The DPP’s national congress was held this afternoon at the Taipei International Convention Center. Directly above the venue is the Grand Mayfull International Convention Hall, where various factions hosted luncheons in banquet halls before the official afternoon session. For instance, the Ying faction rented the Elegant Hall on the 4th floor under the name of the 2050 Education Foundation. On the opposite side of the same floor, the Zhengguohui faction rented the Joyful Hall, where Foreign Minister and Zhengguohui leader Lin Chia-lung delivered a speech. Meanwhile, on the 3rd floor, the Su faction also secured a banquet hall. It is reported that former Premier Su Tseng-chang was present, and Ko Chien-ming, former convener of the DPP Legislative Caucus, personally visited the Su faction’s luncheon to offer greetings.

The outcome of this year’s DPP Central Standing Committee election will influence candidate nominations for the 2028 election and determine whether party chair Lai Qing-te can maintain a stable power base during his re-election campaign. Generally, securing one CSC seat requires stable support from three CEC members. The Xinliu faction has nominated 10 candidates for the CEC and is expected to win three CSC seats, with additional capacity to support other factions. The Ying faction has fielded six CEC candidates, aiming not only to retain incumbent CSC member Wang Shih-chien but also to potentially achieve a 'one secured, eyeing two' outcome through cooperation with other factions. Given that Chen Chi-mai, who may help ally Li Yu-ting secure a CEC seat, dined with a senior Ying figure, their interaction has drawn particular attention.

Additional exclusive reports from Storm Media: · Behind the Scenes: Factional Rebellion and a Chilling Contest with Tsai Ing-wen – Is Lai Qing-te’s Power Base Unstable? · Ahead of the Green Party Congress, Did the Ying Faction Form an 'Anti-Lai Alliance'? Wang Shih-chien Denounces Rumors: Lai Qing-te Was Nurtured by Tsai Ing-wen · Factional Rivalry Before the DPP Congress! Reports Claim Ying Faction Formed 'Anti-Lai Alliance' – Chuang Jui-hsiung Refutes: The Claim Makes No Sense