KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president-elect, Lai Ching-te, and vice president-elect, Hsiao Bi-khim, commenced their nationwide bento box meeting tour on Monday (Jan. 22). The tour is designed to hear out local concerns while expressing gratitude to election staff and volunteers.
Kick-starting in Kaohsiung and Pingtung in southern Taiwan, the gratitude tour is expected to span two weeks, covering the entire island and its outer islands. Details were provided by Lai's campaign manager, Pan Men-an.
"This is an important starting point," said the DPP lawmaker of Pingtung, Chung Chia-pin, emphasizing that the bento box meetings started from the south. Chung also highlighted the shift in the emotional state of local election staff when they met with Lai and Hsiao post-elections, compared to their pre-election burdened interactions at rallies.
The bento box meetings aim to foster a relaxed atmosphere and provide a platform for discussion on the post-election situation and the future of the new parliament.
Party sources reiterated that despite the election results, the DPP has not stopped listening to local opinions. Amid a new political landscape, the party's step is anything but relaxed.