Taiwan’s presidential election in March will shift Taiwan-China relations.

In less than two months voters will go to polls to choose a president to succeed the unpopular Chen Shui-bian, member of the Democratic Progressive party (DPP). Analysts anticipate a landslide defeat of the DPP, largely because of Chen’s attempts at independence, separating the island (with a population of 23 million people) from mainland China.

The election will consist of Nationalists’ Ma Ying-jeou and DPP’s Frank Hsieh. Opinion polls favor Ma; supporters expect Ma to take advantage of the lucrative market opportunities in China. However, the DPP hopes to win voters by having Hsieh distance himself from Chen and his policies. In so doing, Hsieh promises to restore Taiwan’s economy and vows to liberalize Chen’s policies regarding trade and investments with China.

Details can be found at http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/01/asia/AS-GEN-Taiwan-New-Legislature.php