Exclusive: 'High Enrollment but No Budget' for July 25 Anti-Toxic Oil Rally; Han Kuo-yu and KMT's Six-Metropolitan Mayoral Candidates Auction Signed Jerseys for Fundraising

The Kuomintang (KMT) will hold its party congress on July 25, amid rising public anger over the recent Chung Lian toxic oil scandal. Both Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an and DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng have displayed arrogant attitudes, further fueling public discontent. As a result, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and the KMT central leadership have joined forces to organize a street protest immediately after the congress.

According to Feng Media, registration for the July 25 rally is highly enthusiastic. However, due to the KMT's financial constraints, the party is struggling to cover mobilization costs. To address this, the party plans to auction 15 signed jackets and T-shirts from the six metropolitan mayoral candidates, Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, and party chairperson Cheng Li-chun during the party congress to raise funds for the rally and other party operations.

Since Chiang Wan-an and the KMT central leadership launched the July 25 anti-toxic oil protest, party supporters have responded strongly. With local elections approaching at year-end, candidates need campaign practice, and food safety is a relatable issue for the public. Moreover, supporters vividly remember how the DPP harshly criticized the then-ruling KMT and President Ma Ying-jeou during the previous Ting Hsin toxic oil scandal. This historical context, combined with Wu Cheng’s inappropriate remarks and refusal to apologize, as well as Pan Men-an’s dismissive gesture of waving away reporters, has further intensified public resentment, driving high registration numbers that are expected to keep rising.

Despite holding meetings on Sundays and Mondays to prepare for the street protest, the KMT’s tight budget means only stage and sound system costs have been secured so far. In addition to awarding commemorative medals to outgoing county and city mayors during the party congress, the KMT has invited key figures—including Cheng Li-chun, Han Kuo-yu, Chiang Wan-an, New Taipei mayoral candidate Deputy Mayor Lee Sih-chuan, Taoyuan Mayor Chang Shan-cheng, Taichung mayoral candidate and Legislative Vice President Chiang Chi-chen, Tainan mayoral candidate legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh, and Kaohsiung mayoral candidate legislator Ko Chih-en—to participate in the fundraising campaign by donating signed apparel.

More exclusive insights from Feng Media: · Chiang Wan-an calls for July 25 protest on Ketagalan Boulevard; Taiwan People’s Party responds: 'Citizens who care about food safety should stand up' · Toxic oil scandal: Chiang Wan-an invites public to July 25 Ketagalan rally; Chen Chi-mai counters with 'food safety meeting' invitation: 'No need for politicalization' · How impactful is the 'July 25 anti-toxic oil protest'? Media figures say the key lies in 'him': could significantly affect election outcomes or cool momentum