FCR: Professor Lee Hsi-kun and Legislator You Ching have been nominated by the KMT and the DPP to run for Taipei County magistrate. Why did you still want to throw your hat in the ring?
Chang: I was born in Taipei County and have lived here for 22 years altogether. In previous elections, I have been campaign manager for many county magistrates, legislators, and provincial assemblymen representing this county. Above all, I have compiled a very good record during my nearly eight years of service as mayor of Panchiao, which has a population of 530,000.
With all this experience, I understand thoroughly what local people want and what this county needs. It's very important that a magistrate be a local citizen. Otherwise, he would have to spend a long time familiarizing himself with local conditions before he can really do anything.
Although both Lee Hsi-kun and You Ching have Ph.D. degrees and I don't, as far as the qualifications for a magistrate are concerned, I believe that administrative experience is more important than educational background. Frankly speaking, if there were any party-supported local candidates running, I would not enter the race.
The problem lies in the way the primary election was held. The KMT had already decided whom to nominate before the primary was held. I was the runner-up in the primary, but every vote I received was an indication of genuine support of a voter's free will. Even though Lee Hsi-kun came in first, his votes were planned in advance [by the KMT's county committee] as a result of a decision made by just a few people in the party.
Many party members here were dissatisfied with the results of the primary because Lee has no connection with this county. Almost no one had heard of him before the primary, so how could they support him? Even now, with election day rapidly approaching, he is not better known. That's why after learning of the results from the primary I made a statement saying that I was disappointed but not dispirited. So far, I'm still confident of winning the election.
FCR: Because you are a member of the Kuomintang, your decision to run obviously contradicts the party's position. Can you comment on this?
Chang: I must point out that my devotion to the Kuomintang has never changed since I joined the party at 18. The KMT has treated me very well and I have never thought of damaging it. I can even say that my decision is a product of my devotion to the party.
What I am most concerned about, as is any party member, is that we should not lose in the Taipei County election. Many people have said that if Lee runs, they will vote for You Ching or cast a blank protest ballot. This is a very serious situation.
As I just said, if any resident of this county were to run for magistrate, I would pull out without hesitation. On the other hand, if I announced to pull out now, the situation would become even worse. Local people would think I had been bribed or that there was some secret tradeoff between me and the party committee. Therefore, they would vote for You Ching. How can I let that happen? The KMT should not lose Taipei County. Since I'm aware of these invisible forces and underground currents in the political scene, I have insisted on remaining a candidate.
FCR: What's your opinion of You Ching's candidacy?
Chang: In fact, since You Ching lost four years ago in the Taipei County magistrate election, he has had nothing to do with this county. He has been busy with his own affairs after being elected a legislator three years ago. People never saw him involved in any local activities and he did nothing for local residents. Even his campaign assistants of four years ago have all left him because he refused to give them any help after the election. I know this because many of his former assistants are now my friends. Only recently has he attended some weddings and funerals for the sake of the upcoming election.
FCR: What do you plan to do for Taipei County residents if you win the election?
Chang: After so many years of public service, I have come to realize that the major obstacles to local self-government come from government bureaucracies at all levels. These have hindered local development. In a democratic society, government employees should be servants of the people, but this is not the case yet in Taiwan. I am determined to fight against the bureaucratic mentality and challenge bureaucratic politics.
Improper division of tax revenues between the local and central governments has also retarded the development of local infrastructure. For example, even though the territory of Taipei Municipality [under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan] borders that of Taipei County [under the jurisdiction of Taiwan Provincial Government], the former has a much better financial condition. Of the 2.8 million residents in Taipei County, most came from central and southern Taiwan to work here. The county government should be more responsive to public opinion. With my experience over the years, I am confident I can help their dreams come true.
FCR: What campaign strategy will you adopt, especially when it seems difficult for you to avoid attacking the KMT candidate?
Chang: The major premise is that the party's unity must be maintained. I will not attack Lee as a means to win the election. In fact, he is qualified in many respects. But he lacks local affiliations. Close connections with local people are a prerequisite for a county magistrate. Besides, I put the interests of the party above everything. If Lee weren't lagging far behind You Ching in popularity, I would not run. Even at this time, nothing is definite. I can be considered a spare tire. I just want to serve the party in the best way possible. [Not long after this interview, Chang announced his withdrawal from the mayor's race "for the interest of the whole party."]