Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party, Lai Qing De of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and Hou Yu-ih of the Guomindang faced off on tough issues in the country's only live televised presidential debate.

台灣民眾黨的柯文哲、執政的民進黨的賴清德和國民黨的侯友宜在該國唯一一場電視直播的總統辯論中就棘手問題展開對峙。

The hopefuls covered a range of topics but the standout issue was their approach to China, which claims Taiwan and has been ramping up military activity around the country in recent months.

這些候選人回答一系列問題，但最突出的問題是他們對中國的態度。中國聲稱對台灣擁有主權，並且近幾個月一直在全國各地加強軍事活動。

The candidates drew lots for who would speak first with the DPP's Lai starting off the debate.

候選人透過抽籤決定誰先發言，民進黨的賴清德開始辯論。

[Spekaing in Chinese] My door is open to all kinds of talks with China across the Strait, and I'm determined to advance mutual interests across the Taiwan Strait.

[中文] 我願意跟中國進行交流合作，促進兩岸人民的福祉。

I am determined to maintain the peaceful status quo.

我會不卑不亢維持現狀。

Next up was KMT candidate Ho, who argued that improving relations with China starts with finding common ground.

接下來是國民黨候選人侯友宜，他認為改善與中國的關係首先要找到共同點。

[Spekaing in Chinese] We should first have dialogue between religious or cultural groups. Step by step.

[中文] 從最低位的民間團體、宗教文化，一步一步走。

And then have official exchanges and communication.

走穩了，再來官方的互動嘛。

By building mutual trust, we can lower the risk of escalation.

就可以降低風險嘛。

And TPP candidate Ko said that as president, he would bolster Taiwan's defenses without provoking war.

TPP 候選人柯文哲表示，身為總統，他將在不挑起戰爭的情況下加強台灣的防禦。

[Speaking in Chinese] In recent years, Taiwan has garnered global attention due to geopolitical reasons.

[中文] 這幾年來，台灣因為地緣政治受到全世界關注。

Therefore, I advocate being prepared for war without fearing it, being capable of fighting but not seeking conflict.

所以我也主張備戰不畏戰，能戰不求戰。

We still need ot ensure that the people of Taiwan can engage with mainland China within a democratic, free political system and way of life.

我們還是要確保台灣人民在民主、自由的政治制度與生活方式下與大陸交往。

Candidates were also asked by the media for their stances on the 1992 consensus,

媒體也詢問候選人對九二共識的立場，

a disputed three-decade-old agreement in which the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party agreed that there is one China, which includes Taiwan.

這是一項有爭議的長達三十年之久的協議，中國民黨和中國共產黨同意存在一個中國，其中包括台灣。

But each interprets their own government to be the legitimate ruler.

但各自都將自己的政府解釋為合法的統治者。

For the KMT, that's the Republic of China, and for the CCP, that's the People's Republic of China.

對國民黨來說，那就是中華民國，對共產黨來說，那就是中華人民共和國。

Now the KMT's presidential pick says that his focus is on defending the R.O.C.

現在國民黨總統人選表示，他的重點是保衛中華民國。

[Speaking in Chinese] Whatever I do, I just want to protect the people of Taiwan, so they can lead good lives.

[中文] 我所有所作所為，就是為了顧台灣這塊土地所有人的安全。

So, I will never change my position of defending the R.O.C.

所以捍衛中華民國我永遠不會改變。

This is my very clear statement. I oppose one country, two systems.

今天我講的很請楚。我反對一國兩制。

Meanwhile, Lai of the DPP, whose party rejects the 1992 consensus said that China has used it to isolate Taiwan on the world stage.

同時，否定九二共識的民進黨賴清德表示，中國利用該共識在世界舞台上孤立台灣。

[Speaking in Chinese] Chinea's three-stage theory in the international arena is very clear.

[中文] 中國在國際上的三階段講的很清楚。世界只有一個中國。

Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China.

兩岸同屬一中。

The only governmnet that represents China is the governmnet of the People's Republic of China.

唯一代表中國的合法政府就是中華人民共和國的政府。

But think about it, if we are to regard the Republic of China as the guardian angel of cross-strait relations today, would this promote peace or bring disaster to Taiwan?

那你想想看，我們今天在國內，把中華民國當作是兩岸的護國神山，這到底是要促進和平，還是要給台灣帶來災難？

The TPP's Ko countered accusations that he supported the 1992 consensus, but said that an officially independent Taiwan would only be asking for war and slammed live for his position on the issue.

TPP 的柯文哲反駁了有關他支持九二共識的指控，但表示，正式獨立的台灣只會引來戰爭，並猛烈抨擊了他在這個問題上的立場。

[Speaking in Chinese] You said that the R.O.C. brings danger to Taiwan. Then what are you doing running for president of the R.O.C.?

[中文] 你現在是說中華民國是在給台灣帶來災難，那你不要選中華民國的總統就好了嘛。

You should run for president of the "Republic of Taiwan.

你要選「台灣國」總統啊。

Although all three candidates proposed different approaches to dealing with China, a long standing problem more critical than ever, it's now up to voters to decide which path forward is best for Taiwan.

儘管三位候選人都提出了不同的應對中國問題的方法，這個長期存在的問題比以往任何時候都更加重要，但現在要由選民來決定哪條道路最適合台灣。

Justin Wu, Reece Ayers, Yujing Huang amd Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus.

Justin Wu, Reece Ayers, Yujing Huang amd Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus。