Taiwan poll closes with China, economy in focus

By Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan voters cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a president who could usher in a new era in relations with political rival China in one of the hottest potential flashpoints in Asia.

The polls closed at 0800 GMT and a result was expected within a few hours. The Central Election Commission estimated a turnout of about 75 percent.

Taiwan's more than 17 million voters had to choose a successor to President Chen Shui-bian, an anti-China firebrand who steps down in May and who has repeatedly angered Beijing with his pro-independence rhetoric.

China has claimed self-ruled Taiwan as its territory since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and has pledged to bring it under its rule, by force if necessary.

Frank Hsieh's ruling Democratic Progressive Party favours formal independence while Ma Ying-jeou's Nationalist Party (KMT) wants eventual reunification once China embraces democracy.

"Whether you vote for Hsieh or for Ma, be sure to vote for Taiwan," Chen told reporters. "...Don't let Taiwan become the next Hong Kong. Don't let Taiwan become the next Tibet."

The former British colony of Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Chinese troops marched into Tibet, the scene of anti-Chinese rioting last week, in 1950.

Ma told reporters after voting his commitment to Taiwan was not in doubt.