Taiwan Presidential election roundtable sets out key poll issues

TAIPEI – A Presidential election roundtable involving local academics and representatives of Taiwan’s three main political parties has addressed key issues shaping the January 16 race for the nation’s top job. A podcast of the event is available at http://www.icrt.com.tw/podcasts_details.php?pod_id=8&mlevel1=12&mlevel2=31

Eric Huang, international spokesman for the campaign of ruling Kuomintang candidate Eric Chu, said the KMT Chairman is gaining momentum in the contest despite his late start.
“Chu represents the youth and reform wing of the KMT, and his central policies revolve around economic growth, equal distribution of wealth and good governance,” Huang said. “The ability to implement effective cross-strait policies is another reason for his growing popularity.”
Lee Hong-yuan, a People First Party spokesman and Professor of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University, is equally upbeat on the candidacy of PFP Chairman James Soong. “There is no doubt in my mind that Soong is the best leader for the country given his proven track record of outstanding public administration.”
Joseph Wu, Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party, is bullish on DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen’s election prospects, and expects the party to assume control of both the executive and legislative branches in Taiwan for the first time.
“We understand that the people care more about their daily lives than cross-strait relations,” Wu said. “In a few days, a new Government will be voted in and the DPP is ready for the challenge.”
But Wu Yu-shan, a distinguished research fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of Political Science, said cross-strait relations remain an important part of any Administration’s policy mix, and must be given careful consideration given their potential impact on regional and global affairs. He also identified major hurdles facing the candidates going forward.
“The KMT’s pro-market position and rapprochement with mainland China by accepting the 1992 consensus have not significantly benefitted Taiwan’s economy,” Wu said, adding that PFP policies in this regard do not differ from those of the KMT.
“More important, how can the DPP expect to deal with Beijing if it does not recognise the 1992 consensus?”
According to Eric Yu, Associate Professor of Political Science at National Chengchi University, the economy is the leading issue in the election. “Even the younger generations recognise that opportunities exist in mainland China,” he said, urging the DPP to come clean on the pros and cons of all aspects of the Taipei-Beijing relationship.
Responding to the academics’ assessment of KMT cross-strait policies, Huang said the 1992 consensus is a proven working formula, and the party intends to continue developing ties with Beijing based on this foundation.
Largely supporting these sentiments, Lee said playing smart and promoting dialogue within Taiwan is paramount before dealing with mainland China.
Joseph Wu, however, downplayed the issue. He reiterated that cross-strait relations are not a salient factor in the election, and said Taiwan requires a leader who can unify the country with policies addressing the needs of the majority. www.taiwantoday.tw (ATI).