TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nominated lawmaker Puma Shen, who China has sanctioned ​for "supporting separatism", as its candidate for Taipei mayor on May 13.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, will hold important local elections for mayors and county leaders in November. These elections mainly focus on local issues, but they will also show how much support each political party has before the presidential election in early 2028.

In Taipei, the current mayor, Chiang Wan-an, from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), is expected to be a strong candidate for re-election, as opinion polls show he is popular. He will face a tough challenge from Shen, the candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

President Lai Ching-te introduced Shen as a highly capable candidate. He said Shen understands Taiwan's journey from authoritarian rule to democracy and knows that China is still the biggest threat to Taiwan's democracy and human rights. Lai added that Shen has worked to fight misinformation and strengthen Taiwan's ability to defend itself socially.

China imposed sanctions on Shen in 2024, as well as on the Kuma Academy, which he helped start. The academy trains people in civil defense in case of a possible attack from China. However, these sanctions have little real effect because senior DPP officials do not travel to China, and the academy does not operate there.

China's legal system has no power in Taiwan. Taiwan's government rejects China's claim over the island and says only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.

Shen has a doctorate in criminology and law from the University of California, Irvine. Both he and Chiang speak English fluently and often meet foreign visitors.

The DPP has only won the Taipei mayoral election once before, when Chen Shui-bian served as mayor from 1994 to 1998. He later became Taiwan's first DPP president.