TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung commemorated his one-year milestone of abstinence from smoking on Monday (May 29), accompanied by a series of positive announcements.
Addressing attendees at an event organized by the nonprofit John Tung Foundation, which aimed to anticipate the annual World No Tobacco Day (May 31), Chen disclosed his triumphant journey of quitting smoking after a long habit of 52 years while inviting others to follow suit.
Since renouncing smoking, Chen has experienced a transformative shift in his outlook on life and work. Embracing the occasion, he voiced his support for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilor Wu Pei-yi as the pan-Green party's prospective legislative candidate in Taipei City's Zhongzheng and Wanhua districts.
As a resident and voter in the Zhongzheng-Wanhua district, Chen responded to inquiries from journalists regarding his preferred DPP candidates for the region, expressing his desire to witness Wu's nomination and success, stating, "I genuinely hope to see Wu emerge victorious."
Preceding Chen's remarks, Wu had expressed her willingness to contend for a legislative position in the area. Notably, social media influencer Ili Cheng had been speculated as a potential candidate affiliated with the ruling DPP party.
Acknowledging the proper qualifications of both prospective contenders, Wu and Cheng, Chen emphasized, "I trust that the party will make the most suitable arrangement," affirming his commitment to honoring the final decision of the DPP regarding its legislative nominee running under the party's banner.
