Chen outlines regional plan for development

On the first day of official campaigning, DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday promised that an "industry of hope" would thrive in Taiwan if he is elected president.

Chen made the remark during a rally at his Taipei campaign headquarters. Other campaign activities were held simultaneously in Taoyuan County by running mate Annette Lu (呂秀蓮).

"I will develop `an industry of hope' to resolve the problems that people face in their daily lives," Chen told his supporters.

"To put it simply, I will be a president who brings hope to every corner of the nation, who boosts the development of local industries and improves the quality of life."

Under this plan, Chen said, northern Taiwan will be developed into an economic and trade hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with Keelung focusing on the marine industry and Miaoli on biological technology.

Taipei County and Taoyuan County will be upgraded to become special municipalities similar to Taipei and Kaohsiung, while mass rapid transit systems will be made available in Hsinchu, Chen said.

In central Taiwan, which is targeted to become a center for cross-strait business and trade, Yunlin and Changhua counties will focus on agricultural technology and Taichung on the information industry.

Southern Taiwan, he said, has a rising economic base, with Pingtung County specializing in farming and the biochemical industry, and Kaohsiung the electronics industry.

Eastern Taiwan, meanwhile, he said, will be developed to become "an Arcadia of `green' culture, with Hualien focusing on biochemical technology and Ilan on the software industry.

Chen also repeated vows to establish a government "for the people" and to wipe out gangster-related money politics, or `black gold,' urging voters to continue to throw their support behind him as "victory is close at hand."

Addressing a separate rally in Taoyuan County, Lu called on the voters to help achieve a transition of power from the KMT to the DPP.

"Only this will allow the DPP to terminate the KMT's rule, which has trampled democracy," Lu said.

Lu said the March 18 presidential vote will be a "revolution" for the people to regain their political voice.

Corruption and money politics have been highlighted in the presidential race as the main target of attack against the KMT.

DPP Chairman Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) yesterday claimed that the KMT will spend at least NT$20 billion on the presidential campaign, NT$5 billion of which would go to campaign activities, NT$10 billion as payment for local opinion leaders and another NT$5 billion to buy votes.

Unlike the KMT, Lin said, the DPP is trying to win public support with a promise to build an incorruptible, efficient and transparent government.

Recent polls have indicated Chen is running neck-and-neck with his two rivals, James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Lien Chan (連戰).