Tensions were high in Kaohsiung on Saturday, as the southern city’s usually sleepy streets were filled to bursting with protesters from two clashing political rallies. Tens of thousands of angry Kaohsiung citizens assembled at the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, expressing their outrage at the “disappearance” of their city mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) who has taken time off for his presidential election campaign.
Meanwhile, mere kilometers away in Aizihdi Park, Han loyalists who were decked out in the Taiwanese national flag flocked together for a counter-rally in support of the pro-Beijing presidential candidate. Amid the blaring of horns, booming of gongs, and the chanting of “Clear Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) off the shelf, give us back Taiwan!”, the carnival atmosphere implied no traces of disillusionment at the mayor’s absence from city affairs.
