TAIPEI—Taiwan voted in a tight presidential election Saturday to decide who will manage crucial relations with China for the next four years, in a poll also being eagerly watched by the United States.
Incumbent Ma Ying-jeou, who has overseen the most dramatic thaw in mainland ties since the two split more than 60 years ago, voted early, as did his main challenger, Tsai Ing-wen, bidding to become the island’s first female leader.
“I am happy to see some sunshine today. This will help the turnout rate. I hope everybody will go to vote early,” a smiling Ma said as he cast his ballot in the capital Taipei.
No opinion polls were allowed in the 10 days leading up to the vote, but surveys published last week showed the race too close to call, with Ma of the Kuomintang (KMT) party leading Tsai by as little as three percentage points.
Beijing and Washington are watching closely, as victory for Ma, 61, would likely be seen as a renewed mandate for policies that have raised exchanges with China to unprecedented levels and yielded a sweeping trade pact.
By contrast, a win for 55-year-old Tsai could usher in a period of uncertainty in ties with China, as her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has traditionally favored distancing the island from the mainland.
“The reason why the Chinese mainland is so concerned about the Taiwan election is because we are worried that the idea of ‘Taiwan independence’ will be further spread by the process, as it was in the past,” the state-controlled Chinese paper Global Times said Friday.
Although China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island, and has vowed to get it back, even if that involves going to war.
The United States, too, is keeping a close eye on the election, hoping the outcome will not upset the stability that the strategically vital Taiwan Straits area has experienced since Ma assumed power in 2008.
“I slept well last night, I am in a good mood and I feel very confident,” Tsai told reporters after casting her ballot near Taipei.
When asked if she was prepared to be Taiwan’s first female president, she answered: “Yes, I’m ready.”
Complicating the race is the third candidate, former KMT heavyweight James Soong, 69, who stands almost no chance of winning but whose support base overlaps with Ma’s and could cost the incumbent key votes.
Officials believe the tightness of the race will lead to a heavy turnout.
Chang Poh-ya, chairwoman of the Central Election Commission, said Friday she expected about 80 percent of voters to take part in the election, compared with just over 76 percent in the 2008 vote.
In one of the tightest races ever in Taiwan, the Ma camp is counting on the support of an estimated 200,000 China-based Taiwanese businesspeople and their relatives who have returned home to vote.
“I voted for Ma because I am doing business with China and I often travel there,” said businesswoman Ane Wei at a polling station in Taipei. “It’d be more convenient for me and good for my business if he remains in office.”
Ruby Yang, an office worker, said she had cast her ballot in favor of Tsai “because I want to see the first female president in Taiwan”.
Both Ma and Tsai staged huge rallies in Taipei on Friday to whip up support and try to win over the undecided voters who may decide the outcome.
The presidential vote coincides with a poll for Taiwan’s 113-member parliament, where the KMT currently has a majority.
Polling stations are due to close at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT). Results are expected later Saturday but the timing will depend on how close the vote is.