The last time that Taipei elected a mayor from the Democratic Progressive Party was Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in 1994. At the time it seemed like some kind of a breakthrough because Taipei is known to be a Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang stronghold. During his tenure as mayor of Taipei, Chen Shui-bian had a very high public approval rating of over 70% to nearly 80%. In spite of this he was not reelected for a second term. Instead, the Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) was elected mayor of Taipei. Now nearly 30 years have passed and none of the DPP mayoral candidates have been able to get elected in Taipei since. Will this year’s DPP candidate Puma Shen (沈伯洋) be able to break the spell?
In this episode you’ll learn about more about who Puma Shen is and what his vision for Taipei City is.
Puma is an Associate Professor at National Taipei University’s Graduate School of Criminology, Co-Founder of Doublethink Lab, Co-Founder of Kuma Academy, and this year’s Taipei City mayoral candidate for Democratic Progressive Party.
Related Links:
Puma Shen (沈伯洋):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puma_Shen
Puma Shen on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pumashen
Puma Shen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pumashen/
Puma Shen on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pumashen
Puma’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PumaShen
Puma Shen 沈伯洋 Taipei Mayoral Candidate – Talk in New York City: https://youtu.be/fqAfkAFAPB0?si=tIvOLivQUrtAys0r
Doublethink Lab: https://doublethinklab.org/
Kuma Academy: https://kuma-academy.org/about?lang=en
Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Yuan
https://www.ly.gov.tw/EngPages/List.aspx?nodeid=345
https://english.president.gov.tw/POP/244
https://www.ly.gov.tw/Engpages/index.aspx
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Progressive_Party
Chinese Nationalist Party/Kuomintang (KMT): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuomintang
Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Shui-bian
Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_Ying-jeou
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_People%27s_Party
Ko Wen-je: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Wen-je
Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Wan-an
The 5 Pillars (H.E.A.R.T) of Puma’s vision for Taipei City: https://youtu.be/i5zByHt6esg?si=QmPU4eEv0dnvQtbd
Taiwanese lawmaker ‘wanted’ by China speaks at Berlin parliamentary hearing
Discussion: China Targets Taiwanese Lawmaker With Arrest Warrant | Taiwan Talks: https://youtu.be/R_nPsO0PRFo?si=lUX4VYQ1pm66VLf-
China: Dubious Criminal Investigation of Taiwanese Legislator
Politically Motivated ‘Separatism’ Probe against Beijing Critic Puma Shen: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/10/31/china-dubious-criminal-investigation-of-taiwanese-legislator
MOFA response to false claims by China’s CCTV News regarding Puma Shen: https://en.mofa.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=1330&s=121063
Satellite images of lawmaker’s home and workplace removed: MODA
https://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/Eng/Pages/Detail.aspx?nodeid=329&pid=82621696
Satellite images of Taiwan lawmaker’s home and office removed online: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6276185
China accused of ‘doxxing’ Puma Shen: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2026/01/04/2003850005
2026-0112: China’s Digital Coercion Against Taiwan’s Lawmaker; Escalated Cyberattacks on Taiwan’s Critical Infrastructure
On the Front Line of Foreign Influence: Enhancing Taiwan’s Information Resilience: https://globaltaiwan.org/2026/02/enhancing-taiwans-information-resilience/
Puma Shen addresses German hearing: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/11/14/20038471
Legislators brawl over reform proposals
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2024/05/18/2003818026
Puma Shen defends plan to end Twin City Forum with China: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6363212
EDITORIAL: Chiang Wan-an under fire: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2026/08/31/2003863397
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