Parties make last-ditch call for support

There are about 2 million eligible voters in Taipei, according to the Taipei Municipal Election Committee.

At the rally held last night in Yuanshan Park near the Zhongshan Stadium, acting Kaohsiung mayor Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭) stumped for Hsieh.

Hsieh's efforts in Kaohsiung "have already been affirmed by the people," Yeh said. "But, ask yourselves this: KMT Chairman Ma has been the mayor for eight years, and what has he done for us?"

Vice Premier Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) endorsed Hsieh by criticizing Ma's performance.

"The destruction of Chiencheng Circle was something that made me sad and hit me hard," Tsai said. "I used to go there with my parents when I was a child. But Ma decided to tear it down and took away my childhood dreams."

She said that Hau's plans to hire the same staff members at the city government if he wins the election concerned her the most.

"I totally believe in his [Hsieh] ability. If he becomes the mayor of Taipei, Tamsui River can be clean within two years," Wu said.

Around 8:30pm, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced that President Chen's son Chen Chih-chung (陳致中) had arrived at the scene. Chen Chih-chung simply asked people to vote for Hsieh.

"I only came to show my support for Hsieh. ... Nobody asked me to come," he said.

Prior to the rally, there were rumors that New York Yankee pitcher Wang Chien-ming (王建民) would show up to endorse Hsieh, but there was no sign of Wang on the stage last night.

"Wang told me in person that he supported my idea to host the 2020 Olympic Games in Taipei and said that he would come to support me," Hsieh said. "I told him not to come because I do not want him to become a target for political tug of war since he has nothing to do with politics."

Independent candidate Clara Chou (周玉蔻) had planned to protest against Hsieh at the rally but said she changed her mind because she had received "a reliable tip from the police that the Hsieh's headquarters would launch an attack on her by throwing rocks."

People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who is running for Taipei mayor as an independent candidate, held his final rally last night at Da-an Forest Park.

"Your votes for me will show that only capable and earnest political figures like me can win voters' hearts," he said. "My victory will warn all the politicians in Taiwan and prove that campaign tricks are useless."

Earlier in the day, PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said the party's male legislators had agreed to shave their heads in a show of support for Soong. But the plan was dropped because Soong disapproved, Liu said.

"Whatever can make a difference, we are willing to do for him," Liu said.

Reporting by Mo Yan-chih, Flora Wang, Jimmy Chuang and Rich Chang

also see story:

Editorial: Taipei loses in a sham contest