Taiwan's two presidential candidates, on the eve of the general election, on Friday tried to win over undecided voters who may affect the outcome of Saturday polls, according to dpa. On the last day of campaigning, the ruling party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition party Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) held a total of 185 campaign events across the island to solicit votes for their own candidate. At an evening rally in Taichung, west Taiwan, Ma Ying-jeou, candidate from Taiwan's largest opposition party the KMT, vowed to fully open trade with China to halt Taipei's economic downturn and make Taiwan shine again on the world stage. "After eight years under the DPP, the patience of the people of Taiwan is running out. So are you ready (for a new president)?" Ma asked. "Yes! We are ready!" some 100,000 supporters answered in unison. "I will transform Taiwan into the Switzerland of the Orient, not the Cuba of the Orient," he said. He promised to be a humble president, listen to people's ideas, and safeguard Taiwan's interests while promoting trade with the mainland. Ma's rival Frank Hsieh, from the ruling DPP, attended several rallies before taking the stage at the closing rally in Taipei. He accused Ma of having a US green card - which Ma has denied - and not loving Taiwan, and warned Taiwanese not to vote for someone who has US residency. "I do not have a green card and Taiwan will always be my motherland. If the people of Taiwan give me the chance, I will try my best to run the country well," he shouted to flag-waving supporters. Earlier, KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung warned against the DPP's using tricks to sabotage the election and prevent Ma from winning. "Although we are cautiously optimistic about winning the election, we must heighten our vigilance and guard against tricks from the rival camp," Wu said. Wu was referring to the 2004 presidential election in which President Chen Shui-bian won re-election after he was hit by two bullets on election eve, which brought Chen many sympathy votes. The KMT accused Chen of staging the assassination, but has yet to find evidence to prove it. The polls are due to open Saturday at 8 am (0000 GMT) and close at 4 pm (0800 GMT). Election results are expected at 9:30 pm (1330 GMT). The election has been complicated by a referendum on whether Taiwan should attempt to join the United Nations. China, which sees Taiwan as its breakaway province, has blasted the referendum as a step towards independence and vowed to make a sharp reaction if the referendum is approved. At this sensitive moment, the US is sending two aircraft carriers to the Taiwan region for "routine training exercise." US defence officials confirmed Wednesday that the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Nimitz have been sent to the region. Taiwan's Defence Ministry welcomed the move, but refused to comment on the position of the two aircraft carriers or the purpose of their deployment. But the Apple Daily quoted military expert Shih Hsiao-wei as saying the carriers are positioned in Japanese waters off the south- eastern and north-eastern tip of Taiwan. "Deploying two aircraft carriers for exercises off Taiwan is a big manoeuvre. It shows that the US is concerned about the uncertainty of Taiwan's situation and wants to urge China and Taiwan to use restraint," said Shih, editor-in-chief of the Defence International monthly magazine.
