Taiwan vote could impact Straits ties

Voters in Taiwan will elect local officials on Saturday in the first test of the island's mainland-friendly leader Ma Ying-jeou a year-and-a-half after he came to power.

The election result could have an impact on the cross-Straits policy of Ma's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) and on upcoming cross-Straits talks that will be held in Taichung, experts said on Friday.

If the KMT holds its current majority or gains seats, Ma's already strong position will be cemented, adding momentum to his efforts to broker stronger ties with the mainland through trade pacts.