Taipei: Tens of thousands gathered in Taiwan Saturday as rival presidential candidates took to the streets for "super weekend" rallies.
It is the last weekend of campaigning before the vote for president next Saturday, when the embattled ruling Kuomintang (KMT) is expected to be defeated.
Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is forecast to take the leadership as the KMT struggles for public support, due to scepticism over its China-friendly policies and anger at the island's stagnating economy.
But addressing crowds gathered for her rally in the city of Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, the DPP's heartland, Tsai said change was the only way forward.
"I will lead Taiwan towards reform, I will lead Taiwan towards change."
"I support Tsai Ing-wen because she brings fresh ideas," said service industry worker Gladys Cheng, 27.
Despite lagging Tsai in the polls, KMT candidate Eric Chu managed to garner massive crowds on the streets of Taipei Saturday afternoon, with the party saying 200,000 turned out for his rally.
Chu has emphasised the importance of peaceful relations with China throughout his campaign.
"No matter how much dissatisfaction you felt in the past, be brave, stand out and vote for our next generation," he said.
Chu's supporters said they were afraid the DPP would bring instability.
"The DPP is pro-independence and I worry tensions will rise with China if it were to take power," said supporter Peng Yu-chia, 45, a housewife with two children.
'New politics'
Taiwan is self-ruling after it split from China in 1949 following a civil war on the mainland, but Beijing still considers it part of its territory, awaiting reunification.
Ma has overseen a rapprochement with China since he took power in 2008, leading to trade deals and a tourist boom, and culminating in a historic summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
But many voters feel it is big business that has reaped the benefits, not ordinary people, and there are growing concerns over Beijing's influence.
Anger over trade deals with China sparked the student-led occupation of parliament in 2014 in what became known as the Sunflower Movement.
Some activists are now running for office in parliamentary elections, held on the same day as the presidential vote.
The New Power Party (NPP), which grew out of the Sunflower Movement, held a rally in Taipei Saturday night, drawing more than 1,000 people.
"Today is a critical time for the start of new politics in Taiwan" said party chairman and former protest leader Huang Kuo-chang.
"As long as we insist on our ideals, we can bring justice to parliament."
The KMT may lose its parliamentary majority for the first time ever.
Presidential candidate James Soong, trailing in the polls, also held a rally in the central city of Taichung Saturday evening, drawing around 10,000 supporters.
Soong, of the Beijing-friendly People First Party, criticised the confrontation between the DPP and KMT as damaging to the economy.
It is the last weekend of campaigning before the vote for president next Saturday, when the embattled ruling Kuomintang (KMT) is expected to be defeated.
Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is forecast to take the leadership as the KMT struggles for public support, due to scepticism over its China-friendly policies and anger at the island's stagnating economy.
But addressing crowds gathered for her rally in the city of Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, the DPP's heartland, Tsai said change was the only way forward.
Advertisement
"I will lead Taiwan towards reform, I will lead Taiwan towards change."
Advertisement
"I support Tsai Ing-wen because she brings fresh ideas," said service industry worker Gladys Cheng, 27.
Advertisement
Despite lagging Tsai in the polls, KMT candidate Eric Chu managed to garner massive crowds on the streets of Taipei Saturday afternoon, with the party saying 200,000 turned out for his rally.
Advertisement
Chu has emphasised the importance of peaceful relations with China throughout his campaign.
Advertisement
"No matter how much dissatisfaction you felt in the past, be brave, stand out and vote for our next generation," he said.
Chu's supporters said they were afraid the DPP would bring instability.
"The DPP is pro-independence and I worry tensions will rise with China if it were to take power," said supporter Peng Yu-chia, 45, a housewife with two children.
'New politics'
Taiwan is self-ruling after it split from China in 1949 following a civil war on the mainland, but Beijing still considers it part of its territory, awaiting reunification.
Ma has overseen a rapprochement with China since he took power in 2008, leading to trade deals and a tourist boom, and culminating in a historic summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
But many voters feel it is big business that has reaped the benefits, not ordinary people, and there are growing concerns over Beijing's influence.
Anger over trade deals with China sparked the student-led occupation of parliament in 2014 in what became known as the Sunflower Movement.
Some activists are now running for office in parliamentary elections, held on the same day as the presidential vote.
The New Power Party (NPP), which grew out of the Sunflower Movement, held a rally in Taipei Saturday night, drawing more than 1,000 people.
"Today is a critical time for the start of new politics in Taiwan" said party chairman and former protest leader Huang Kuo-chang.
"As long as we insist on our ideals, we can bring justice to parliament."
The KMT may lose its parliamentary majority for the first time ever.
Presidential candidate James Soong, trailing in the polls, also held a rally in the central city of Taichung Saturday evening, drawing around 10,000 supporters.
Soong, of the Beijing-friendly People First Party, criticised the confrontation between the DPP and KMT as damaging to the economy.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
In Donald Trump's Recollection Of Shooting, Special Note For Secret Service France's Allies Relieved By Le Pen Loss But Worry About Messy Coalition "Pure Panic": 9 Killed In Stage Collapse During Election Rally In Mexico 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel China, Russia Concerned About India-US Relationship: Top American Diplomat "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Liquor, Drugs Worth Rs 26.82 Crore Seized In Haryana Since Poll Code UN Says Lebanon Pager Blasts 'Extremely Concerning Escalation' Kamala Harris Calls For End To War In Gaza, No Israeli Reoccupation Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.