A new poll shows most Taiwanese want to stay neutral between the US and China ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, a negative sign for President Lai Ching-te and the DPP heading into the year-end local elections.

• Nearly two-thirds of Taiwanese say Taiwan should not lean toward either the US or China, and over half want to keep the cross-strait status quo forever.
• Over half are unhappy with how Lai handles relations with China, though most still support expanding cross-strait exchanges.
• Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says the DPP wins votes by selling fear of national collapse, but ordinary Taiwanese end up paying the price for the division.
• A boycott of restaurant chain Formosa Chang broke out after the founder's son backed Chiang, forcing the company to distance itself; Chiang shot back that he would show support by eating there.
• Lai is personally leading the DPP's uphill campaign in Yunlin, while DPP Taipei candidate Puma Shen is drawing big crowds on the campaign trail.

Outlook: Cross-strait tensions and the Trump-Xi meeting will shape the run-up to Taiwan's November local elections, with the KMT betting that voters are tired of confrontation with Beijing.