Will Lu and Chiang's Non-Competition Turn into Cooperation? 'Sibling Alliance' Fights Back Against Central Government Over Toxic Oil Scandal

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is seen as a leading candidate for the Kuomintang (KMT) in the upcoming presidential election, while Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is another rapidly rising KMT star. The Green camp's electoral strategy aimed to create another 'sun' within the KMT to deepen internal divisions. However, the central government's aggressive stance against local authorities over the toxic oil scandal has backfired, bringing the 'suffering siblings' closer together and enabling a local counter-encirclement of the central government.

On the afternoon of the 21st, both mayors arrived simultaneously at the Executive Yuan in the same vehicle. Media crews were unsure which car to focus on until Chiang Wan-an emerged first from the right rear seat, opening a black umbrella and waiting. Only then did the petite figure of Lu Shiow-yen appear, having been seated right beside him. The younger brother held the umbrella as they walked together into the Executive Yuan VIP room.

Lu revealed in interviews that Chiang had personally picked her up from the high-speed rail station. It is understood that they thoroughly discussed the 10-point joint statement drafted by 17 counties and cities during the 'Online Food Safety National Conference' while en route, preparing to directly present their concerns to the Executive Yuan.

The closed-door meeting was chaired by Executive Yuan Policy Advisor Chen Shih-chung, with Cabinet members including Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-i in attendance. After over two hours of discussion, the duo exited the meeting room together.

Lu criticized the Ministry of Health and Welfare for suddenly introducing numerous items that even other ministries were unaware of. For example, the Ministry of Justice also had many questions. Clearly, there had been no prior review or integration across agencies regarding the Executive Yuan's proposals. Lu sternly stated, 'Legislative amendments should not be this crude.' Chiang also questioned why the executive branch had not completed internal integration before pushing for legal revisions, arguing that the overall timeline would have been more efficient.

In response, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui urged all county and city governments that participated in the online food safety conference to first disclose their inspection results. Lu countered by citing past news reports, pointing out that 12 years ago, when President Lai Qing-te was mayor of Tainan, he told then-President Ma Ying-jeou: 'The president should convene all ministries to resolve issues, not jump in from a presidential height and shift responsibility onto local governments.' Lu asked sarcastically whether central officials were listening to President Lai's words, or if they were merely engaging in internal conflict, and whether the president could no longer control his subordinates' statements.

Through their 'interaction, statements, and decision-making,' the collaborative resistance of Lu and Chiang against the central government has become increasingly evident.