channelnewsasia.com - Pragmatic young Taiwanese voting for their future
   
 
  blogs  
 
yournews
   
   
Video Finance Lifestyle Travel Weather Discussion TV Shows
CNA Live    | About Us 
 
  Home ›
 
Asia Pacific News

 
 

Pragmatic young Taiwanese voting for their future
By Channel NewsAsia's Taiwan Correspondent Ca-Mie De Souza | Posted: 18 March 2008 1917 hrs

 
 
Photos  of

   
 

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: The young may sometimes be described as politically apathetic, but over in Taiwan where they are holding their fourth direct presidential election this Saturday, the youths are not about to just watch the polls from the sidelines.

24-year-old Zhang Ji-wei returned from his home for the past 12 years in New Zealand just to be a part of this.

Since November, the youth activist has spent every waking moment rallying youngsters to support the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in its southern stronghold, reaching out to them through internet forums and rallies.

"Taiwan must continue to have democracy. Just like my parents, they gave a lot for democracy. We must let the DPP continue to rule to ensure this freedom. Just as my parents worked hard for it, we the young must do something for Taiwan too," said Ji-wei.

But for now, it seems like the young people who want to see the pan-green stay in power may be in the minority.

Whether it is in Taipei or in southern Kaohsiung, the opposition party is drawing a sizeable number of young Taiwanese voters.

At this election, there will be some 1.2 million first-time voters aged 20 to 23. Opinion polls have showed that an overwhelming 60 to 70 percent of them are gunning for the Kuomintang (KMT).

But observers said it is not because they love the party or its presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou, they are simply voting for their future.

Professor Yu-ming Shaw, Advisor, National Policy Foundation, said: "They feel that under the KMT, there should be economic progress because they know how to handle the economy, and Ma's cross-strait policy is more peaceful and rational so there won't be war. If there's no war and the economy is good, there will be jobs. That's why more will vote for the blue camp."

One youth said: "Everyone hopes there can be more improvements to politics, the economy and education because we find it's not so good now."

"Hope he'll (Ma Ying-jeou) be a man of his word and help Taiwan," another added.

Whether it is for political ideals or their livelihood, it is the future these young Taiwanese are looking towards, and it is a future that some hope will be decided wisely at the ballot box.


- CNA/so

 

 



Other asiapacific News
Philippine government expels massacre suspect as toll hits 57
Pakistan court indicts seven over Mumbai attacks
Indonesia VP dismisses bank bailout concerns
Khmer Rouge prison chief 'should get 40 years'
Philippine leader vows justice as massacre toll hits 57
Thaksin supporters call off Thai protest
Indonesia's top detective replaced in corruption scandal
Four US teens "wanted for attempted murder" in Japan
Hazy conditions cause flight delays in China
Ecuador buys Chinese warplanes
Obama vows to "finish the job" in Afghanistan
Philippine massacre toll could top 50, says military
India, US sign clean energy deal
Indonesia protesters rally against Yudhoyono
Obama rolls out red carpet for "indispensable" India

 

 
Affiliate Sites:
 
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Advertise with Us  |  Terms & Conditions