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Taiwan opposition unveils blueprint
Taiwan presidential challenger Lien Chan yesterday unveiled a new manifesto that underscores his call for direct links with arch-foe China and redraws the map by which the island is governed.
Just five days before 16 million voters go to the polls, Lien fired up his campaign by accusing President Chen Shui-bian of diverting attention from real policy issues by mudslinging.
Little differentiates the two contenders except their policy on China, with Chen espousing an aggressive claim that Taiwan is independent and Lien favouring a more conciliatory approach to Taiwan?s giant foe. Both, however, want direct links. ?The campaign is entering its final countdown, but our country?s future development and policies have not been given enough attention,? Lien said told a news conference.
The new election promises from the Nationalist Party leader stressed the need to set up direct air, sea and communications links with China, proposing flights to the mainland from airports in Taipei, central Taichung and the southern port city of Kaohsiung.
To boost an economy that has lost its shine since a 2001 recession, Lien also proposed merging the island?s 23 cities and counties into eight blocks that each focused on different industries to strengthen regional competitiveness. But it is policy towards China that has taken centre stage in a March 20 presidential election that could be decided by just a few thousand votes out of a total electorate of 16 million.
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