Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Fidelity toward Taiwan, the "Chinese question", and the protection of local industry and agriculture: these were the themes of yesterday's debate between the two candidates for the Taiwanese presidency, the nationalist Ma Ying-Jeou and the democratic Frank Hsieh Chang-Ting, during the first television debate ever broadcast on the island.
During the debate, Hsieh charged that his rival "does not love Taiwan", and recalled the rapprochement undertaken by the Kuomintang [the nationalist party] toward China. But he countered charges on his birth outside of Taiwan (in Hong Kong), and emphasised "I am 100% Taiwanese".
Moreover, the leader of the Kmt said that relations with Beijing are "necessary", and promised "national integrity" in opening new commercial routes with Chinese companies. Both declared their desire to improve the situation of the local economy, protecting farmers and industries first of all.
The presidential voting on the island is scheduled to take place in mid-March. After the shattering defeat of the democratic party in the latest legislative elections, analysts expect a victory of the Kuomintang for this more important post as well. Nonetheless, Hsieh is considered a good candidate and has a good part of the Taiwanese upper middle class on his side.