Most of the support or opposition by Taiwan’s citizens is based on relations with mainland China, especially on the future of the political status of Taiwan and maintaining good cross straits relations. 

The DPP is pro-independence while the KMT accepts the PRC's one-China principle and believes that Taiwan will eventually unify with main-land China Its main objective is to establish a closer economic relationship with mainland China.

The idea of one country-two systems, is however not supported by the KMT but rather, dialogue under the "1992 Consensus" resuting from cross-straits talks in the 1990s over the poltiical status of Taiwan.

For the 2008 elections, both parties have agreed on two things - to continue leading Taiwan as an independent nation, but forge closer cross-strait relations with its neighbour, China.

Another issue will be constitutional reform which outgoing President Chen Shui-bian had pledged in his second inaugural address. The promise then, was to draft a new constitution by 2006 to take effect upon the inauguration of the 12th-term president in 2008.

Clean government and economic recovery should also figure prominently among the parties and their leaders. Taiwan's biggest rise in consumer prices in 13 years recently has suddenly made economic issues a rare pivotal factor ahead of upcoming elections.

Many are grousing the growing cost of living, with some adding political corruption as part of the blame, even though rising oil prices and damage from typhoons are the main cause.