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TAIPEI: Taiwan's presidential race entered the home straight Sunday with the opposition party's candidate, who favours closer ties with China, the front runner in an election that will be closely watched in Beijing and Washington.
The Kuomintang's Ma Ying-jeou has a lead of around 20 points over his rival Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, according to the last opinion polls.
At the same time as the March 22 vote, Taiwan is also holding a referendum on joining the United Nations, despite the objections of China and the United States which see it as a provocative step toward independence.
The often bitter campaign has been dominated by calls for clean government, economic revival and an improvement in relations with China, Taiwan's biggest rival but also its main trading partner.
Hsieh's DPP is struggling to hang on to the presidency held for eight years by Chen Shui-bian, who is stepping down after his maximum two terms.
The KMT swept to victory in parliamentary elections in January on the back of voter disenchantment with a government that has failed to boost the economy or improve ties with China.
Hsieh, a former dissident lawyer, stresses the island's sovereignty against Beijing's claim that Taiwan is part of China awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.
He has sought to cast doubt on Ma's patriotism, suggesting he would sell out to Beijing.
Ma's campaign strategy has focused on reviving the economy, using the same promises of growth and jobs that propelled the KMT to victory in January. One of his main proposals is for a "common market" with China.
The KMT is offering people "hope and a chance for change," said George Tsai, a political science professor at National Chengchi University.
However, he told AFP, "the vote is also a cause of concern for Washington and Beijing, as well as many other nations, since the winner's policies will affect future cross-strait ties and regional stability."
During his eight years in power, the independence-leaning Chen has caused diplomatic jitters with a series of provocative remarks aimed at Beijing, which in turn has increased its deployment of missiles aimed at the island to some 1,300.
On Sunday both sides were aiming to galvanise a million supporters onto the streets in rallies across Taiwan.
Hsieh will gather supporters in the capital Taipei and elsewhere climaxing in a night rally in the central city of Taichung.
"I hope we can join our hands and link our hearts on March 16 to consolidate our strength and empower Taiwan," he told reporters on Saturday.
Ma's party also aims to draw one million people under the slogan, "Oppose corruption, fight for the economy, demand peace, love Taiwan," with events culminating in a night rally in the southern city of Tainan.
Despite his lead in the polls, he has been put on the back foot by a violent clash involving KMT lawmakers outside Hsieh's office that left several people injured.
Ma has apologised several times over the incident, and sought Saturday to drum up a new sense of urgency to the campaign.
"The election is very tense now and we cannot afford to lose a single vote, which will increasing the risk of losing the election. We have to have a sense of crisis," he told supporters in Taipei.
The referendum on joining the United Nations is controversial because the island lost its UN seat in 1971 to China, and is now recognised diplomatically by only 23 countries.
The DPP's referendum seeks approval to join the world body under the name Taiwan, which China has criticised as smacking of independence.
The KMT put forward a rival proposal seen as less sensitive, which would seek membership under any name.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 and have been bitter rivals ever since. - AFP/ac
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