All five of Taiwan's presidential candidates yesterday took their first official steps in the race, registering as formal candidates for the March 18 vote at the Central Election Commission.
All five expressed optimism and appealed to their rivals for a fair, clean, gentlemanly campaign.
Citing the fact that yesterday was an auspicious day according to the lunar calendar, independent candidate James Soong (
Soong asked the KMT to stop using "illegal" means to threaten its rivals in the campaign, saying the ruling party should not abuse government power.
"The government has to keep its neutrality in the presidential election. Officials should not inspect the taxes of other candidates or their rival's supporters -- actions which can pressure them into shifting support," Soong said.
In addition, Soong pledged to obey all election laws and regulations, adding he would never become involved in any vote buying or incidents of violence.
As for the DPP's Chen Shui-bian (
Chen took his turn beating a "war" drum to symbolize the start of the campaign, and then led a motorcade toward the commission to register.
Chen also appealed to rivals to campaign with both justice and honor, and to refrain from using dirty tactics such as attacking candidates on ethnic issues, creating false scandals, or frightening voters with the prospect of a possible war with China.
Chen then brought up the tax issue, which made news yesterday after his financial advisers were quoted as advocating a reimposition of a capital gains tax on sales of stock market shares (證券交易所得稅). Chen denied the reports, saying he would never raise any kind of tax if elected as the new president.
"Within my presidential term in the coming four years, there will be only one thing happening: a reduction of the tax rate. It will be absolutely impossible to raise taxes," he said.
Chen said that some of his advisers had suggested the possibility of reimposing the capital gains tax, but that he considered it unnecessary.
Chen had advocated an "efficient and conditional" tax reduction, but had also considered the possibility of reimposing the capital gains tax on the sales of shares. His campaign headquarters was flooded with callers asking for clarification of the issue.
Taiwan's stock market dropped for 19 straight days 10 years ago, only because then-Minister of Finance Kuo Wan-jung (
Chen's campaign manager, Chiou Yi-jen (邱義仁) also said that the proposal was only one measure as part of a whole package project, which advocated considering the adjustment of certain related tax rates to "make a fair tax system."
"We hope the press and voters can carefully understand our expectations, not to emphasize one particular part because it may confuse people," Chiou said.
The other presidential candidates chose to register later, avoiding the attention given to Chen and Soong.
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