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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Taiwan votes in presidential poll | Taiwan votes in presidential poll |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Taiwan is voting in a presidential election in which both candidates favour closer economic ties with China. | Taiwan is voting in a presidential election in which both candidates favour closer economic ties with China. |
| Frank Hsieh, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, faces a tough battle against Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang. | Frank Hsieh, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, faces a tough battle against Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang. |
| Mr Ma, whose party has traditionally taken a more conciliatory line towards Beijing, has led consistently in opinion polls. | Mr Ma, whose party has traditionally taken a more conciliatory line towards Beijing, has led consistently in opinion polls. |
| But analysts believe Mr Hsieh may have narrowed the gap in the race to replace President Chen Shui-bian. | But analysts believe Mr Hsieh may have narrowed the gap in the race to replace President Chen Shui-bian. |
| Mr Hsieh has accused his rival of being soft on China and portrayed himself as the man best placed to defend Taiwan's interests. | Mr Hsieh has accused his rival of being soft on China and portrayed himself as the man best placed to defend Taiwan's interests. |
| Over 17 million people are eligible to vote and turnout is expected to be high. Polling stations opened at 0800 on Saturday (0000GMT), and close at 1600 (0800GMT), with results expected a few hours later. | |
| 'Resume dialogue' | 'Resume dialogue' |
| The economy has been central to the election campaign. | The economy has been central to the election campaign. |
| Taiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn pictures | Taiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn pictures |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Ma has proposed direct flights to the mainland and easing restrictions on doing business with China, calling for the creation of a "common market". | Mr Ma has proposed direct flights to the mainland and easing restrictions on doing business with China, calling for the creation of a "common market". |
| His rival has been more cautious, promising dialogue with China while pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty. | 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. | "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. |
| Voting in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Saturday morning, he opened his arms wide and said: "I have this much confidence." | Voting in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Saturday morning, he opened his arms wide and said: "I have this much confidence." |
| Television reports showed Ma Ying-jeou taking his usual morning run. He is expected to vote in Taipei in the afternoon. | Television reports showed Ma Ying-jeou taking his usual morning run. He is expected to vote in Taipei in the afternoon. |
| 'Second Tibet' | 'Second Tibet' |
| The recent unrest in Tibet has also become as key issue in the vote, with both men speaking out against Beijing. | The recent unrest in Tibet has also become as key issue in the vote, with both men speaking out against Beijing. |
| Profile: Frank HsiehProfile: Ma Ying-jeouQ&A: Taiwan elections | Profile: Frank HsiehProfile: Ma Ying-jeouQ&A: Taiwan elections |
| 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 warned that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet". | Mr Hsieh warned that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet". |
| China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. | China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. |
| It has threatened to use force if the island moves towards formal independence. | It has threatened to use force if the island moves towards formal independence. |
| Also on Saturday, voters are also being asked to cast a ballot in two competing referenda on whether Taiwan should join the UN. | Also on Saturday, voters are also being asked to cast a ballot in two competing referenda on whether Taiwan should join the UN. |
| The more controversial version asks voters if the island should seek membership under the name Taiwan, rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China. | The more controversial version asks 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. | Many countries, including the US, have protested, saying the vote is unnecessarily provocative. |
| 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: |