March 22, 2008 will be a watershed moment in the political history of the island-nation of Taiwan . On that date Taiwan ’s citizens will go to the polls to vote for their next president and decide on a referendum on Taiwan ’s application for United Nations membership.

Currently, Frank Hsieh of the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Koumintang Party (KMT) candidate Ma Ying-jeou are in the final stretch of their hotly contested race for the presidency. (Please see the attached .pdf file for the candidates’ CVs and website information) March 22 will have far-reaching implications for the 23 million people of Taiwan and the strengthening of their homegrown democracy, as well as for the prevailing political climate of the greater East Asia / Pacific region.

Perspectives on the upcoming Taiwan election that you may choose to consider include:

• Election outcomes and U.S.–Taiwan Relations:
  Both candidates are dedicated to improving ties between Taiwan and the United States . What will the outcome mean for relations and trade between Taiwan and the U.S?
• Cross-Strait Relations:
  Both candidates take moderate stances on cross-Strait relations, but the parties they represent hold decidedly different philosophies. How will the election outcome affect the way Taiwan’s government deals with China’s, whose Anti-Secession Law (reserving the right to use force against Taiwan) was passed three years ago and whose army currently maintains over 1000 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) in China’s southeastern province as a threat against the island?
• Taiwan’s Referendum:
  What its outcome means in terms of Taiwan ’s developing national identity and its international status.
• Taiwan’s ongoing peaceful democratization:
  If the DPP’s Frank Hsieh wins, the balance of party power between the Executive Yuan and the KMT-majority Legislative Yuan will be preserved. If Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT wins, his inauguration will represent the second peaceful transfer of ruling party power in Taiwan ’s history, which would strengthen Taiwan ’s democratic identity.
• Regional Beacon of Democracy:
  Some think of Taiwan as a model of democratic reform for Hong Kong , China and countries elsewhere. What implications might this election have for the development of democracy in the Chinese-speaking world? Grass-roots democratic movements around the globe? Where can Taiwan still improve?

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