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Hsieh to list criteria for running mate online

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh, right, shakes hands with DPP Taoyuan Chapter Director Hsu Chung-wen while reading a petition signed by 19 chapter directors urging Hsieh to pick former premier Su Tseng-chang as his running mate. Hsu gave the petition to Hsieh in Taoyuan County yesterday. PHOTO: CNA

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said yesterday he will explain his criteria and timetable for his choice of a running mate during an online press conference on Sunday.

Hsieh said some party members had recommended former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), while others favored former acting Kaohsiung mayor Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭).

many factors

"They are both great talents, but we will continue to take many factors into consideration [for the choice of a running mate]," Hsieh said on his way to the DPP's Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday, in response to questions concerning Director of the DPP's Taoyuan Chapter Hsu Chung-wen's (許崇文) comments on Tuesday urging Hsieh to pick Su as his running mate.

Hsieh also dismissed media speculation yesterday that he had been under pressure from the Presidential Office to choose a running mate.

`empty promises'

Responding to questions concerning Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential contender Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his long list of platforms on cross-strait issues, Hsieh said he did not intend to compete on the platforms, adding that too many platforms could very well turn into "empty promises."

Hsieh said he supported more trade between Taiwan and China, but disagreed with Ma's position on establishing Taiwan as a free market.

Hsieh said that a free market would entail a free flow of personnel between the two sides of the Strait, which he claimed would have an "irreversible impact" on Taiwan's sovereignty.

panel

In related developments, both Hsieh and Ma's camps yesterday confirmed that the two candidates would participate in a forum on Monday hosted by the Chiang Wei-shui (蔣渭水) Foundation.

Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟), spokesman of the Hsieh campaign camp, said Hsieh saw the conference as a serious "historical dialogue," while Ma's camp said Ma intended to use the forum to address the issue of "localization."

Additional reporting by Mo Yan-chih
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