CNA file photo

Taipei, Dec. 10 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will meet the mayors elect of the country's six special municipalities, with the first meeting scheduled for later this week with Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who was re-elected in the Nov. 24 mayoral race, the Presidential Office announced Monday.

Tsai had placed phone calls to the six mayors elect Nov. 26 to offer her congratulations, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said.

The president said at that time that competition among political parties is normal in a democracy and that the central and local governments must collaborate to promote public welfare, according to Huang.

The purpose of the planned meetings is to bring together the central and local governments to enhance public welfare, Huang said, adding that based on this foundation, Tsai and her administration will strive to do what is beneficial for the people and local development.

The meetings are expected to take place before the inauguration of the six mayors elect Dec. 25, Huang said.

The meeting between Tsai and Ko will focus on municipal issues such as areas in which central and local governments can strengthen cooperation, including social housing, residents' safety, city development, urban renewal and renovation of old houses, Huang added.

He noted that since Tsai stepped down as chair of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to take responsibility for the party's crushing defeat in the Nov. 24 local government elections, she will not talk about party affairs or a legislative by-election for a seat vacated in Taipei after former Legislator Yao Wen-chih (姚文智) gave up his seat Nov. 18 to run for Taipei mayor.

(By Chen Yen-chun and Evelyn Kao)
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