"New Jujiang" Misused? Ke Chih-en Fires Back at Yin Li for 'Even Targeting Himself' as 919 Mega-Rally Unveils 'World Kaohsiung'

With the Kaohsiung mayoral election entering its final stretch, Kuomintang (KMT) mayoral candidate Ke Chih-en held a morning street campaign today (14) alongside over 30 party-affiliated councilors and candidates at a junction near Weiwuying, greeting commuters and students to demonstrate unity. She then hosted the 'Great Wind Rising—First Major Rally Press Conference on 9/19,' officially unveiling her campaign theme song 'World Kaohsiung' and limited-edition campaign merchandise titled 'United in Vision,' setting the stage for this Saturday’s (19th) large-scale rally in Fengshan.

However, Ke has recently faced scrutiny after using the term 'New Jujiang' in a Facebook post, prompting criticism from Yin Li, former director of Kaohsiung's Cultural Bureau, who questioned the character usage. In response, Ke's campaign office pushed back, stating that both 'Jujiang' and 'Kujiang' have long coexisted in local usage in Kaohsiung and are not mutually exclusive. They pointed out that even former Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu and Yin Li himself had previously used the term 'New Jujiang.' The campaign thus challenged whether, by Yin’s standards, all past users of this spelling should be deemed 'unfamiliar with Kaohsiung.'

Ke's team further noted that sitting Kaohsiung councilors such as Qiu Junxian, Tang Yongyu, Zheng Mengru, and Zhang Boyang have also used 'New Jujiang' in the past, suggesting Yin’s selective targeting of Ke raises concerns about inconsistent standards. The campaign highlighted that Yin himself had publicly used 'New Jujiang' in prior Facebook posts, sarcastically remarking he is 'so harsh he doesn’t even spare himself.' By his current criteria, they argued, the first person to face scrutiny should be Yin.

In extending the counterattack, Ke’s office referenced Yin’s past controversies involving AI-generated images during his tenure as cultural bureau chief, criticizing repeated inaccuracies—such as using police insignia inconsistent with Taiwan’s official emblems during Police Day promotions. They urged focusing on substantive urban development and cultural policy rather than semantic nitpicking.

The campaign emphasized that what truly matters to Kaohsiung residents are urban development, infrastructure, and daily life issues. Electoral competition, they said, should center on policy and governance. Fixating on a locally accepted variant spelling while ignoring one’s own prior use of it only invites accusations of double standards.

Beyond verbal sparring, Ke today formally launched the campaign song and merchandise for the September 19 rally. Campaign spokesperson Huang Teng-hsien explained that the 'United in Vision' limited collection includes T-shirts, hats, and sports towels. The word 'vision' ('zhi') serves a dual purpose: symbolizing both Ke Chih-en and the shared aspiration of supporters and Kaohsiung to engage with the world. The goal is for these items to transcend mere memorabilia and integrate into citizens’ everyday lives.

The campaign theme song 'World Kaohsiung' was composed by Wu Kun-long, a local musician deeply rooted in Kaohsiung’s cultural scene and known for creating anthems for sports events. With an upbeat and inspirational style and uplifting melodies, the song aims to convey the passion of Kaohsiung residents and the city’s ambition to step onto the global stage.

Ke joked that having won a Golden Bell Award for hosting, and Wu also being a Golden Bell honoree, their collaboration carries 'Golden Bell blessings.' She said 'World Kaohsiung' aligns with her campaign slogan 'Dream Harbor, Global Ambition,' aiming not only to showcase the warmth of Kaohsiung people but also to sing of the city’s bold stride toward the world.

The music video for 'World Kaohsiung' is now available on Ke Chih-en’s Facebook and YouTube channels and has been released on major music streaming platforms.

As the election heats up, Ke announced that this Saturday (19th) at 3 p.m., she will hold her first large-scale rally near the Fongshan West MRT Station, inviting heavyweight supporters including KMT campaign headquarters chair Wang Jin-pyng, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, and New Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Shih-chuan—forming a 'North-South Alliance' to boost her momentum.

Ke emphasized that Fengshan holds special significance for her. A past speech video filmed near the Gongxie Market went viral with over a million views, and she once pledged at Wujia Longcheng Temple to 'deeply root herself in Kaohsiung.' As Fengshan is also Kaohsiung’s most populous district, she chose it as the site for her first major rally.

She stressed that the September 19 rally is not just about demonstrating electoral strength but about reuniting the support base built over the past four years. She invited Kaohsiung citizens to join her in Fengshan on the 19th, letting the wind 'rise from Fengshan' and carrying the momentum of 'Transforming Kaohsiung' through to Election Day.