DPP Presidential Hopefuls Face Off In Party Debate

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen put up a strong defense of her record in government in a televised policy presentation on Saturday aimed at winning the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential nomination.

Her contender, former premier William Lai, also presented his views and responded to questions from experts.

The 90-minute debate is the only opportunity the two rivals will have before opinion polls are conducted between June 10 and 14 to determine the final candidate to represent the party for the January 2020 election.

President Tsai emphasized her record in office since May 2016, and described her work as “a house half-built.”

She insisted she had followed the DPP’s basic principles while governing Taiwan over the past three years. "Those years had been hard work, but the fruits were about to be harvested", she said.

Tsai also pointed out that she had worked hard to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty and way of life, and will never accept the One Country Two Systems model.

Lai, meanwhile, pledged to protect Taiwan, carry out much-needed judicial and constitutional reforms, invest in youth and innovation, and "internationalise" the island. He also highlighted the need to improve Taiwan's business environment as China and the US continue to be embroiled in a bitter trade dispute.