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Opposition's Ma claims Taiwan win Opposition's Ma wins Taiwan poll
(about 1 hour later)
The opposition candidate in Taiwan's presidential election, Ma Ying-jeou, has won, his party says. The opposition candidate in Taiwan's presidential election, Ma Ying-jeou, has claimed a clear victory.
According to preliminary results, the Kuomintang's Mr Ma is leading by about 17 percentage points, with more than 90% of votes counted. Preliminary results put Mr Ma, running for the Kuomintang party, 17 percentage points ahead of Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
He faced Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in the race to succeed Chen Shui-bian.
Both candidates advocated closer economic ties with China, but differed over the pace and degree of change.Both candidates advocated closer economic ties with China, but differed over the pace and degree of change.
Among voters waiting to cast their ballots on Saturday the economy was one of the most commonly cited concerns. Mr Ma pledged to strengthen commercial ties more quickly than Mr Hsieh, who took a more cautious approach.
He will succeed arch-nationalist Chen Shui-bian, who steps down in May.
Over 17 million people were eligible to vote and turnout figures are expected to be high.Over 17 million people were eligible to vote and turnout figures are expected to be high.
'Proud victory''Proud victory'
A huge crowd cheered and whistled at opposition Kuomintang headquarters, and firecrackers were set off across the capital, Taipei, as the preliminary results were reported on local TV networks.A huge crowd cheered and whistled at opposition Kuomintang headquarters, and firecrackers were set off across the capital, Taipei, as the preliminary results were reported on local TV networks.
Taiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn picturesTaiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn pictures
"It is a proud victory," said honorary party chairman Lien Chan, according to AFP news agency, saying Mr Ma and his running mate Su Tseng-chang had taken nearly 60% of the overall vote. "It is a proud victory," said honorary party chairman Lien Chan, saying Mr Ma and his running mate Su Tseng-chang had taken nearly 60% of the overall vote.
"The result gives us a different tomorrow, it gives us a new environment, a new hope and a new future," he said."The result gives us a different tomorrow, it gives us a new environment, a new hope and a new future," he said.
Supporters at Mr Hsieh's base were subdued, with many in tears. A party spokesman admitted defeat, even though the final votes were still being counted.Supporters at Mr Hsieh's base were subdued, with many in tears. A party spokesman admitted defeat, even though the final votes were still being counted.
Official results from the central electoral commission lag behind the results reported by local media, but still give Mr Ma a comfortable lead.Official results from the central electoral commission lag behind the results reported by local media, but still give Mr Ma a comfortable lead.
The economy has been central to the election campaign, and is linked with policy towards China. Both referendums on whether Taiwan should join the United Nations failed.
China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. Beijing has threatened to use force if the island moves towards formal independence. Far too few voters participated in the referendum to validate the results - as at least 50% of eligible voters were needed.
Quick action One of the referendums - which asked whether the island should apply to join under the name Taiwan, rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China - had proved particularly controversial.
Many Taiwanese think closer links with Beijing would help revive the island's faltering economy - but ties have been strained under President Chen because of his pro-independence stance. Economic revival
Mr Hsieh advocated a more cautious approach to China ties class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7306832.stm">Profile: Frank Hsieh class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7294938.stm">Profile: Ma Ying-jeou class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7306352.stm">Q&A: Taiwan elections Many Taiwanese waiting to cast their votes identified the faltering economy as their top priority.
Mr Ma put the promise of an economic revival at the centre of his election campaign.
Mr Hsieh advocated a more cautious approach to China ties Profile: Frank HsiehProfile: Ma Ying-jeou
He had set ambitious growth targets - which some analysts say will not be met, unless his second pledge, to establish much closer economic ties with China, is also fulfilled.
China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949, and China has never ruled out using force against the island should it move towards formal independence.
Under President Chen, ties were restricted because of his pro-independence stance.
Mr Ma wants to act quickly, introducing direct flights to the mainland and easing restrictions on investment in China. He has called for the creation of a "common market".Mr Ma wants to act quickly, introducing direct flights to the mainland and easing restrictions on investment in China. He has called for the creation of a "common market".
He has also proposed the agreement of a formal peace treaty with China.He has also proposed the agreement of a formal peace treaty with China.
His rival has been more cautious, promising dialogue with China while pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.
"In the past the DPP was criticised for not opening up but I will be more compromising, I will do better," Mr Hsieh said as the campaign drew to a close.
'Second Tibet''Second Tibet'
His rival was more cautious, promising dialogue with China while pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.
The recent unrest in Tibet also become an election issue, with both men speaking out against Beijing.The recent unrest in Tibet also become an election issue, with both men speaking out against Beijing.
Earlier this week Mr Ma talked of a possible Olympic boycott if the situation there deteriorated, though he said on Friday he would not "push the issue to the extreme".Earlier this week Mr Ma talked of a possible Olympic boycott if the situation there deteriorated, though he said on Friday he would not "push the issue to the extreme".
Mr Hsieh, meanwhile, had argued he would be the best protector of Taiwan's sovereignty, warning that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet".Mr Hsieh, meanwhile, had argued he would be the best protector of Taiwan's sovereignty, warning that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet".
The BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taiwan says it was unclear how much the events in Tibet would sway voters, as many had already made up their minds about which way to vote.
Also on Saturday, voters were being asked to cast a ballot in two competing referendums on whether Taiwan should join the UN.
The more controversial version asked voters if the island should seek membership under the name Taiwan, rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China.
Many countries, including the US, have protested, saying the vote is unnecessarily provocative.
But our correspondent says it seems likely that neither referendum will win enough support from voters to succeed.
Are you in Taiwan? Have you voted? Send us your comments using the post form below:Are you in Taiwan? Have you voted? Send us your comments using the post form below:
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