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BEIJING: More than one million Taiwanese live and work in China, potentially translating into a million votes for presidential candidates Ma Ying-Jeou and Frank Hsieh in Saturday's election.
Even if only a quarter of these Taiwanese are voting, it is a substantial number for the candidates to gain a head start.
The Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland is mobilising 250,000 "Tai Bao", or Taiwanese compatriots in China, to cast their votes on 22 March.
The vice president of the association, Ye Huide, said this election will be a chance for "Tai Bao" to make their presence felt.
The Taiwanese government imposes a ceiling on Taiwan business investments in China.
Mr Ye said he hopes things will change with the coming election. "In the past, there were less Taiwanese businessmen who would go back to vote. As a result, Taiwanese political parties and politicians have neglected our interests over the years."
"There is no 'San Tong' (three direct links) and no direct flights till this day, which has caused a lot of inconvenience for Taiwanese businesses. So now, we want to mobilise more people to go back to vote, so that politicians will pay more attention to us in future," he added.
The association even negotiated with tour agents and airlines for discounts. From now till 22 March, air tickets from to Taiwan cost 2700 yuan (US$380), 30 per cent lower than usual.
Mr Ye said tickets for flights around election day have been snapped up, and even the full-priced tickets – which cost between US$490 and US$520 – are selling like hot cakes.
It is rare to see tickets offered at such a discount. The last offer was given to commemorate the historical occasion when direct flights to Taiwan were inaugurated for the Spring Festival in 2003.
Prices have since gone up to market rates, and the Spring Festival charter flights become an annual affair.
Mr Ye said: "We can't ask the airlines to compromise their prices all the time. But this time we approached them on the grounds that Taiwanese businessmen need to cast their votes in this election and would like them to help us, so that the Taiwan government will pay attention to us, to open up direct air links."
Taiwanese in China are concentrated in Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta region. To go home, most of them usually have to transit in Hong Kong or Macau.
Although China and Taiwan are as close as an hour's flight apart, travelling time often stretches to six hours due to the detour.
For those who are not going back, hopes are high that things will turn for the better.
"I wanted to go back badly, but I'm too busy with work here. Regardless of the outcome, I hope he (the president-elect) will soon realise the goal of opening up 'San Tong' (three direct links) for both sides, and move Taiwan's economy forward," said Agnes Chang, a Taiwanese who works in China. - CNA/ac
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