The Green Party has raised concerns over the appointment of Li Li-zhen as the new Bureau Chief of the New Taipei City Government. The party questions whether her appointment is based on her experience or if it is a move to boost the election prospects of Mayor Hou’s team. In response, the city government has urged against prejudice and rushing to judgment.
Li Li-zhen, a 29-year-old former reporter and anchor for Eastern Broadcasting Corporation, is set to take over as the new Bureau Chief on the 15th of this month. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) councilors have criticized the low visibility of New Taipei City’s news and questioned Li’s lack of administrative background in the public sector. They have also raised concerns about the Mayor’s decision-making process.
However, the city government spokesperson, Zhang Ai-jing, emphasized that Mayor Hou values young talent and is committed to providing opportunities for professional young individuals to serve the city. Zhang urged the DPP councilors to approach the issue with a positive and rational mindset. She also highlighted the example of a former DPP councilor who served as the Bureau Chief of the Taichung City Government at a young age, questioning whether that appointment was also considered “experience washing” by the DPP.
The DPP’s criticism of the city’s news visibility was countered by Zhang, who highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the New Taipei City News Bureau to promote the city’s policies and activities through social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook. She also mentioned the success of projects like the “Skyline Film Festival” and “New Taipei Influence” in promoting positive stories about the city. Zhang defended Li’s credentials, citing her rich academic and professional background, and called for an end to discrimination against news anchors in public service roles.
The ongoing feud between the Green Party and the city government over the handling of news and information was addressed by Zhang, who accused the Green Party councilors of spreading baseless rumors and attacking the city government without valid reasons. She emphasized that the city government’s focus is on continuity and progress, and expressed confidence in Li’s ability to bring new ideas and energy to the role of Bureau Chief.
In conclusion, the appointment of Li Li-zhen as the new Bureau Chief of the New Taipei City Government has sparked a debate between the Green Party and the city government. While the Green Party questions the motives behind the appointment, the city government has defended its decision and emphasized the need for a fair and objective assessment of Li’s qualifications and potential contributions to the city. It remains to be seen how Li’s tenure will unfold and whether she will be able to address the concerns raised by the opposition.