Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou wins second term

 

                                                President Ma Ying-jeou addressed cheering crowds at his campaign headquarters

Taiwan's incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou has won a second term in office, promising to further improve ties with neighbouring China.

 

His main opponent, Tsai Ing-wen, said she took responsibility for the defeat and resigned as leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Mr Ma had campaigned on his record of improving ties with China.

China does not recognise Taiwan, regarding the island as a breakaway province. It wants unification.

"In the next four years, cross-strait relations will be more peaceful, with greater mutual trust and the chance of conflict will be less," Mr Ma told jubilant supporters.

"I must let Taiwan have a long-lasting environment of peace and stability."

He added: "This is not my personal victory, the victory belongs to all Taiwanese. They told us that we are on the right track."

Earlier, Ms Tsai told party workers she accepted the Taiwan people's decision and congratulated President Ma.

"We want to give our deepest apology to our supporters for our defeat," she said.

Ms Tsai's DPP favours formal independence from China, although Beijing has repeatedly threatened retaliation if Taiwan makes such a move.

With about 90% of votes counted, Taiwan's Central Election Commission said Mr Ma had won 51% against 46.3% for Ms Tsai.

A third contender, James Soong, once a senior figure in Mr Ma's party, the Kuomintang (KMT), had 2.7%.

The White House congratulated Mr Ma on his victory.

"Taiwan has again demonstrated the strength and vitality of its democratic system," a statement said.

"We are confident Taiwan will build on its many accomplishments, and we will continue to work together to advance our many common interests, including expanding trade and investment ties."

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she hoped ties with China would continue to improve.

"I welcome the elections held in Taiwan... and reiterate the EU's support for democratic values," she said.

"The EU welcomes the improvements in cross-strait (Taiwan-China) relations over the past four years and I hope that this trend will continue, to the benefit of the people on both sides of the strait," she said.

Cross-strait relations

Taiwan has been suffering its worst economic downturn in decades and unemployment has been rising.

However, most voters still view relations with China as the most important issue.

During Mr Ma's presidency regular direct flights and shipping links have been established with China and a landmark trade deal has been signed that cuts tariffs on hundreds of Taiwanese exports to the mainland.

Beijing has 1,500 missiles aimed at the island to deter any attempt to declare independence.

The United States, which is a key ally of Taiwan, will also be watching the outcome of the vote closely.

Under the Taiwan relations act passed by the US Congress in 1979, the US is obliged to come to the defence of the island if it is attacked by any other party.

While Washington has not openly endorsed Mr Ma, observers say it is an open secret that the US prefers his approach to China.

*Profile: Ma Ying-jeou

 

Ma Ying-jeou, who has won a second term as president, at a flag-raising ceremony for the anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China

Ma Ying-jeou, chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), took office as Taiwan's president in May 2008 after winning 58% of the votes in the elections.

He clinched his second term in January 2012, but he polled only 51.6%.

The Hong Kong-born and US-educated lawyer has often been described as ''pro-China'' and ''China friendly''.

His 2008 campaign was built on promises to revitalise the economy and improve relations with China.

As president he has repeatedly stressed his ''three-point China policy'' - "no independence", "no unification" and "no war".

He has also been credited with improved cross-straits ties.

In November 2008 he met Chinese representative Chen Yunlin in a historic five-day visit to Taipei. This was the highest-level cross-straits meeting between the KMT and the Communist Party of China in more than half a century.

Taiwan and China signed a landmark trade deal in 2010. Tourism from the mainland is also bustling, with the introduction of direct flights.

The warming of relations has, however, also sparked insecurity over Taiwan's sovereignty and placed Mr Ma in the hot seat on the issue.

'Risk and opportunity'

In the run-up to the January 2012 elections, Mr Ma's detractors accused him of being ambiguous in his stance on unification with the mainland.

The opposition also blamed Taiwan's slowing economic growth on jobs moving to China.

In rebuttal, he said that better ties with China have led to other countries becoming more amenable to relations and trade with Taiwan.

In an interview with the BBC in June 2011, he pointed out that since he took office, trade with the United States, South East Asia, Europe and Japan had also jumped.

''Mainland China is both a risk and an opportunity,'' he said. ''We must minimise the risk and maximise the opportunity.''

Mr Ma, 61, who has two daughters with his wife of 30 years, former banking lawyer Christine Chow, began his political career in the 1980s.

In 1981, Mr Ma, the only son of five children in his family, served as former President Chiang Ching-kuo's secretary and English translator.

He was the youngest cabinet member at the age of 38, and served as minister for justice and minister without portfolio during the 1990s.

Analysts say he built himself a squeaky-clean reputation during that time.

He first showed potential to run for the top job by beating Chen Shui-bian, who was the island's president before him, in the elections for Taipei mayor in 1998.

In 2005, Mr Ma's place among the island's elite politicians was consolidated when he was chosen as chairman of the KMT.

But in late 2006 his political career - and his incorruptible image - appeared to have fallen apart.

Allegations emerged that he had misappropriated 11.2m Taiwanese dollars ($339,000) of funds while he was mayor of Taipei.

He quit as mayor, and then as party chairman, to fight the charges.

'Lighting candles'

He spent much of early 2007 in court - but despite this, the KMT confirmed him as its presidential candidate.

Eventually, he was cleared of all charges and launched his campaign for the presidency promising to restore the rapid economic growth Taiwan enjoyed during the 1980s and 90s.

Mr Ma, who is said to be a fitness enthusiast and lists music, jogging and swimming as his hobbies, faced a tight race with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) challenger Tsai Ing-wen.

She polled 45.6% of the vote and, after admitting defeat, resigned as party chairwoman.

A significant endorsement for Mr Ma came in December 2011 when technology tycoon Terry Gou hailed him as an "experienced, outstanding helmsman" who will steer the economy through the "10m, not 1m, waves".

Mr Gou, a self-made billionaire, is one of the most influential businessmen in Taiwan.

During his New Year's address, Mr Ma played to nationalist sentiments, promising to pass the legacy of ''freedom, democracy, righteousness, civilisation and compassion from the past century'' on to the next generation.

In the speech entitled ''Lighting candles for the next generation'', he said that Taiwan was at the cusp of a new dawn as it entered its 101st year.

He also took the opportunity to promise to do better.

''Where we have fallen short, we intend to redouble our efforts, so as to light candles in the minds of the next generation,'' he said.

''Where we have moved too slowly, we shall pick up the pace.''