city of birth:Taiwan presidential challenger admits defeat

来源:百度文库 编辑:偶看新闻 时间:2024/03/28 21:56:50
14 January 2012 Last updated at 14:01 GMT

Taiwan presidential challenger admits defeat

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Raymond Li from BBC Chinese on who the presidential candidates are and what the election could mean for the rest of the world

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Taiwan opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen has admitted defeat in the island's presidential election.

Ms Tsai congratulated incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou on his victory and resigned as chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Mr Ma had campaigned on his record of improving economic ties with neighbouring China.

China does not recognise Taiwan, regarding the island as a breakaway province. It wants unification.

"We accept the Taiwan people's decision and congratulate President Ma," Ms Tsai told party workers.

"We want to give our deepest apology to our supporters for our defeat."

Mr Ma has sought to bolster economic ties with China

Ms Tsai's DPP favours formal independence from China, although Beijing has repeatedly threatened retaliation if Taiwan makes such a move.

In her campaign, she stressed economic issues and downplayed the pro-independence stance.

With about 90% of votes counted, Taiwan's Central Election Commission said Mr Ma had won 51% against 46.3% for Ms Tsai.

A third contender, James Soong, once a senior figure in Mr Ma's party, the Kuomintang (KMT), had 2.7%.

"This is not my personal victory, the victory belongs to all Taiwanese," Mr Ma told jubilant supporters in central Taipei.

"They told us that we are on the right track."

Cross-strait relations

Taiwan has been suffering its worst economic downturn in decades and unemployment has been rising.

However, most voters still view relations with China as the most important issue.

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Taiwanese voters - even husbands and wives - are divided over which candidate is the best one to guide Taiwan”

The BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei

During Mr Ma's presidency regular direct flights and shipping links have been established with China and a landmark trade deal has been signed that cuts tariffs on hundreds of Taiwanese exports to the mainland.

Mr Ma, 61, said a vote for him was a vote for peace.

But some voters fear that Mr Ma's policies will pave the way for unification.

Ms Tsai and Mr Ma both cast their votes early in the capital.

"I'm very happy, I urge everyone to come out early and vote. This weather should help the voting rate," Mr Ma told reporters at his polling station in a Taipei church as the light rain eased.

Beijing has 1,500 missiles aimed at the island to deter any attempt to declare independence.

The United States, which is a key ally of Taiwan, will also be watching the outcome of the vote closely.

Under the Taiwan relations act passed by the US Congress in 1979, the US is obliged to come to the defence of the island if it is attacked by any other party.

While Washington has not openly endorsed Mr Ma, observers say it is an open secret that the US prefers his approach to China.