Taiwan’s three-way presidential race

More than 23 million Taiwanese are preparing to choose their next president, as China steps up military pressure in its ongoing claim to sovereignty over the democratically-governed island
     
Hou Yu-ih
Kuomintang (KMT)
Mayor of New Taipei City and former criminal police chief, Hou hopes to appeal to voters outside KMT’s traditional base of mainland immigrants and descendants. Advocates dialogue with Communist
Party to lower cross- strait tensions
 
Lai Ching-te
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Current Vice President and former mayor of southern city of Tainan, Lai appeals most to hardline independence supporters.
Beijing warns that voting for DPP is tantamount to voting for war across Taiwan Strait
 
Ko Wen-je
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)
Former Taipei mayor, Ko focuses on domestic matters that feed many voters’ dissatisfaction with DPP – such as energy and housing. Claims to offer “third choice” between provoking China and yielding
to its demands

40
35
30
25
20
15
10 

1 6 11 16 21 26 1 6 11 16 21 26 31 5 10 15 20 25 30 5 10 15 20 
SEPTEMBER     OCTOBER     NOVEMBER   DECEMBER


TAIWAN VOTING INTENTION, %
(Poll of polls compiled by Taiwan News)

Lai: 34.3
Hou: 30.1
Ko: 20.8
Nov 24: KMT and TPP split after plans for united presidential ticket fail

            

Sources: Reuters, The Economist, Taiwan News Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS