Taiwan takes to streets in huge rallies

Ma's wife Chow Mei-ching (周美青) campaigned for Ma in Chiayi.

Ma participated in 17 campaign events in Tainan County. Before attending the evening rally, he met with the Taiwan Solidarity Union's (TSU) Tainan City branch head, Tsu Chian-ming (褚顯名), who later endorsed Ma.

"The TSU and the KMT share different ideologies, but we both strived for government integrity and a better economy," Ma said.

Ma also promised to consider non-KMT members when appointing ministers in the Control Yuan, Examination Yuan and Judicial Yuan if elected on Saturday.

Tsu declined, however, to confirm whether TSU spiritual leader Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) had approved his meeting with Ma.

The National Police Agency said more than 30,000 police officers were mobilized across the country to ensure that the DPP and KMT rallies were peaceful.

In related news, Ministry of Education Secretary-General Chuang Kuo-jung (莊國榮) submitted his resignation last night because of remarks he made at a DPP rally yesterday morning insinuating Ma's father, Ma Ho-ling (馬鶴凌), had affairs with several women.

Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝) approved Chuang's resignation, the Central News Agency reported.

Additional reporting by staff writer and CNA