Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (
Hot topics are likely to be how to improve the economy, national identity and cross-strait relations.
"The coming debate will be important, especially to Hsieh, who is lagging behind in the campaign," said Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政), a political science professor at Soochow University. "It will provide a platform for the two candidates to compete on an equal footing."
Both candidates will answer 20 questions during a two-hour session before they grill each other, debate organizers have said.
Ma's campaign is focusing its election strategy on the economy, believed to have been a major factor in the KMT's sweeping victory over the DPP in January legislative elections.
Ma has promised annual economic growth of 6 percent, up from the current estimated 4.5 percent, and a 3 percent fall in unemployment within eight years if he is elected.
He has also vowed closer political, business and social ties with China, including prioritizing the opening of direct links and easing restrictions on visits by Chinese tourists.
"I believe, as in the legislative election, voters will use their ballots in another no-confidence vote against the impotent, corrupt DPP government," KMT Legislator and Ma campaign manager Justin Chou (
He was referring to a wave of high-profile corruption cases implicating President Chen Shui-bian (
The DPP, for its part, has been questioning Ma's loyalty to Taiwan, suggestions flatly rejected by the KMT.
On investment into China, Hsieh wants the government to review restrictions and allow for flexibility on a case-by-case basis on major projects instead of applying the 40 percent limit across the board.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday said it is fully aware of the situation following reports that the son of ousted Chinese politician Bo Xilai (薄熙來) has arrived in Taiwan and is to marry a Taiwanese. Local media reported that Bo Guagua (薄瓜瓜), son of the former member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is to marry the granddaughter of Luodong Poh-Ai Hospital founder Hsu Wen-cheng (許文政). The pair met when studying abroad and arranged to get married this year, with the wedding breakfast to be held at The One holiday resort in Hsinchu
Tropical Storm Usagi strengthened to a typhoon this morning and remains on track to brush past southeastern Taiwan between Friday and Sunday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The storm, which as of 8am was still 1,100km southeast of southern Taiwan, is currently expected to enter the Bashi Channel and then turn north, moving into waters southeast of Taiwan, the CWA said. Because of its rapid speed — 28kph as of 8am — a sea warning for the storm could be issued tonight, rather than tomorrow, as previously forecast, the CWA said. In terms of its impact, Usagi is to bring scattered or
An orange gas cloud that leaked from a waste management plant yesterday morning in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District (觀音) was likely caused by acidic waste, authorities said, adding that it posed no immediate harm. The leak occurred at a plant in the district’s Environmental Science and Technology Park at about 7am, the Taoyuan Fire Department said. Firefighters discovered a cloud of unidentified orange gas leaking from a waste tank when they arrived on the site, it said, adding that they put on Level A chemical protection before entering the building. After finding there was no continuous leak, the department worked with the city’s Department
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