TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Taipei City chapter chair announced on Thursday (Sept. 19) that they have halted promotions for a "Double Ninth Festival" filial foot-washing activity in October, following online backlashes.
Chang Mao-nan (張茂楠) stated that the decision respects differing opinions on the filial piety event, after online users quickly circulated and criticized a promotional poster signed by him. Their comments included "Party-state aesthetics poster," and "I thought it was a Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) event."
Chang clarified his position, stating, "I believe honoring parents is a good thing and any form of expression deserves support, which is why I agreed to help the organizers promote the event via LINE."
The "Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association" (中華傳統文化弘揚孝道總會) has organized filial piety foot-washing events for several years. This year, the DPP Taipei chapter joined in promoting and offering registration services. However, its party supporters expressed dissatisfaction, questioning if the activity aligns with the KMT party-state culture.
Regarding the use of the plaza in front of the Presidential Office for the event, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) confirmed that while the organizers submitted a venue application, the Presidential Office did not approve the request.
