Taiwan prepares to elect a president and legislature in what’s seen as a test of control with China

TAIPEI, Taiwan — With rallies and concerts attended by thousands of flag-waving supporters, Taiwanese are preparing to elect a new president and legislature on Saturday in what many see as a test of control with China, which claims the self-governing island republic as its own.

The race is tight, and both China and Taiwan’s key ally, the United States, are weighing in on political and economic issues they hope will sway voters.

The election pits Vice President Lai Ching-te, representing the Democratic Progressive Party known as the DPP, against Hou Yu-ih of the main opposition Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, and the former mayor of the capital city Taipei, Ko Wen-je, of the Taiwan People’s Party.

Speaking in his hometown of Tainan in the island’s south, Lai reflected on why he had left his career as a surgeon because of China’s missile tests and military exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwanese voters before the first open presidential election in 1996.

“I wanted to protect the democracy that just gotten underway in Taiwan. I gave up my well-paid job and decided to follow the footsteps of our elders in democracy,” Lai said.

Hou, a former head of Taiwan’s police force and mayor of the capital Taipei’s suburbs, said that Lai’s view on relations with Beijing could bring uncertainty and even the possibility of war.

“I advocate pragmatic exchanges with China, the defense of national security, and protection of human rights. I insist that Taiwan’s future will be decided by 23.5 million (people of Taiwan) and I will use my life to protect Taiwan,” Hou said.

Eric Liao, a 54-year-old aviation engineer, didn’t divulge what party he was favoring, but said dialogue between the sides was crucial.

“I believe that there must be exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Only by having exchanges can we live in peace, which will be beneficial to the people on both sides,” he said.

Ko has strong appeal among younger voters, but is running a distant third in most polls.

Younger voters were mostly focused on their economic futures in a challenging environment.

“I still don’t know who to vote for. I feel that none of the candidates are good enough for me to have the urge to vote,” said Iris Huang, 27, who works in online marking.

Ko’s participation in the election has stirred things up for voters accustomed to the usual choice between the KMT and DPP, said Yoshi Liao, a 40-year-old construction engineer

“It’s different from what we had before … therefore, no one knows who will be elected before the results are counted,” Liao said.

A young woman who commutes on one of Taiwan’s ubiquitous motor scooters said that financial stability was her main priority.

“My salary raises. Its the only thing I care about at this moment,” said the woman, who only gave her surname Liu to protect her privacy.

At a news conference on the eve of the vote, Central Election Commission Chairman Lee Chin-yuan said that he would “like to emphasize once again that all processes for the voting and counting of this election are transparent, open and subject to public supervision.”