Tsai pledges to build stronger, safer Taiwan if re-elected

Taipei, Nov. 19 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) promised to make Taiwan a stronger, safer country if she is elected for a second term in January 2020, as she and her running mate formally entered the presidential race on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket Tuesday.

After Tsai and former Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) completed their registration at the Central Election Commission (CEC), she told reporters that her administration has built a solid foundation to better safeguard Taiwan, but the process requires more time.

"I hope the voters will give us another four years to build Taiwan into a better, stronger and safer country," she said.

Tsai said her reelection bid is of significance amid China's continuous efforts to interfere in Taiwan's Jan. 11 presidential and legislative elections and in light of the escalating tensions in Hong Kong.

The formal registration of candidates highlights the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state that gives voters a free choice of political parties and presidents, Tsai said.

Also speaking to reporters after the registration, Lai said he hoped to see the DPP retain not just the presidency but also its majority in the Legislature, which would empower the administration to better protect Taiwan's democracy.

He said he and Tsai will present more concrete policy platforms soon to the public.

Tsai and Lai's main challenge is expected to come from the opposition Kuomintang's Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), currently mayor of Kaohsiung, and his running mate, former Premier Chang San-cheng (張善政).

The third party in the presidential election is the People First Party (PFP), which has fielded its chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) and Sandra Yu (余湘) as its candidates.

The PFP and KMT both registered their candidates Monday at the CEC.