Taiwan opposition unveils blueprint for China links

1.00pm

TAIPEI - Building on the momentum of huge weekend rallies, Taiwan presidential challenger Lien Chan unveiled on Monday a manifesto stressing the need for direct links with arch-foe China and redrawing the map by which the island is governed.

Just five days before 16 million voters go to the polls, Lien fired up his campaign by accusing President Chen Shui-bian of diverting attention from real policy issues by mudslinging.

"The campaign is entering its final countdown, but our country's future development and policies have not been given enough attention," he told a news conference.

Little differentiates the two contenders except their policy on China, with Chen espousing an aggressive claim that Taiwan is independent and Lien favouring a more conciliatory approach to Taiwan's giant foe. Both, however, want direct links.

The new election promises from the Nationalist Party leader called for setting up direct air, sea and communications links with China, proposing flights to the mainland from airports in Taipei, central Taichung and the southern port city of Kaohsiung.

To boost an economy that has lost its shine since a 2001 recession, Lien proposed merging the island's 23 cities and counties into eight blocks that each focused on different industries to strengthen regional competitiveness.

But it is policy towards China that has taken centre stage in a March 20 presidential election that could be decided by just a few thousand votes out of a total electorate of 16 million.

"The political ideology issue is used either as a so-called anaesthetic or as a stimulant," Lien said, referring to the emotive issue of Taiwan's status as an independent entity and at the same time as a part of China.

"This issue can't be solved within a short period of time. It's only used to divert the focus."

The issue is how to maintain the status quo, which involves a delicate balancing act under which self-ruled Taiwan gives its formal name as the Republic of China -- thus retaining the fig leaf of being part of China.

Chen's campaign is centred on an assertion that Taiwan is an independent country and on a referendum to be held on the same day as the election.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a rebel province to be recovered by force if necessary and views Chen's referendum as a dry run for a vote on independence that it says could lead to war.

Chen managed to narrow Lien's early lead in the opinion polls when he led two million supporters in a human chain the length of Taiwan in the island's biggest anti-China protest on February 28.

But Lien drew more than two million supporters onto the streets of major cities on Saturday in a tit-for-tat show of strength that took many political analysts by surprise.

In the world of underground gambling, the odds again turned in Lien's favour after the massive turnout for his rallies, with most betting on an 800,000-vote margin of victory for Lien from virtually even before the weekend.

Chen, who says he is confident of winning, on Monday sought support directly from voters in streets, markets and temples.

- REUTERS