Key facts
- Puma Shen Pao-yang, a first-term lawmaker, is running for Taipei mayor.
- Shen was blacklisted by Beijing for alleged support of Taiwanese independence.
- He is a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
- Shen advocates for strengthening Taiwan's security.
Puma Shen Pao-yang, a first-term lawmaker who has been blacklisted by Beijing due to his alleged support for Taiwanese independence, is making a bid to become the mayor of Taipei. He will challenge the incumbent mayor in the local elections scheduled for later this year. Shen, a member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, is an outspoken critic of Beijing and has built his political career around advocating for stronger security measures for Taiwan. His entry into politics was relatively recent, joining the political arena just two years ago after a career as an academic.