Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen sidesteps KMT chair candidacy

Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), widely seen as a top contender to lead the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), on Monday dodged questions on whether she will run in the party's upcoming chair election.

Asked about the race, Lu shifted focus to Tropical Storm Podul, which is forecast to pass over Taiwan between Wednesday and Thursday.

"Preparing for the coming of typhoon Podul is my top priority right now," she said upon arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport from a trip to Australia, adding that she had monitored the storm's progress while in Brisbane.

Lu, also considered a leading KMT hopeful for the 2028 presidential election, began a week-long visit to eastern and central Australia last Tuesday, shortly after the White House announced a provisional 20 percent tariff on Taiwanese goods set to take effect Aug. 7.

Before her trip, she said such exchanges could help Taiwan "explore overseas markets other than the United States."

Her itinerary focused on economic, trade, tourism and energy cooperation, according to the Taichung City government.

She met Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner and city councilor Sandy Landers on Friday, later telling reporters she had "met with all the persons we wanted to meet with and visited all the constructions as planned."

Speculation over Lu's interest in the chair race began earlier this year when incumbent KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) appeared hesitant about seeking re-election amid strained opposition cooperation with the Taiwan People's Party and tensions with the Lai Ching-te (賴清德) administration.

The KMT will hold its chair election on Oct. 18, with registration set for Sept. 4-5, shortly after the second round of recall votes on Aug. 23 targeting seven KMT lawmakers.

Although Lu has not said if she will run, some interpreted remarks she made to Taiwanese expatriates in Australia on Saturday -- stressing the concept of "he" (和), meaning peace and cooperation -- as a sign she may sit out.

An anonymous source told the United Daily News that Lu may opt not to join the race to honor her pledge to complete her second mayoral term, which ends in late 2026.