Taiwanese voters go to the polls today to choose a new president – a choice that could reduce tensions in one of the world’s last Cold War stand-offs.

Anti-Chinese riots in Tibet and Beijing’s steely reponse have dominated the final days of campaigning between the front-runner, Ma Yingjeou of the opposition National Party (KMT), and Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

China has claimed the self-ruled island as its territory since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and pledges to bring it under its rule, by force if necessary. Taiwan’s status as an Asian flashpoint and China’s anger at suggestions of a breakaway by the current President, Chen Shuibian, have dominated campaigning.

Both candidates have tried to appear more conciliatory over relations with China – a huge trading partner – while avoiding being seen as abandoning the island’s current effective autonomy.

The United States, Taiwan’s main ally, has sent two aircraft carriers to the region for training exercises during the election. China fired missiles into the Taiwan Strait in 1996, in an attempt to intimidate voters. The Harvard-educated Mr Ma, seen by many as a more experienced administrator, has promised that he will improve relations with China and even work towards a common market with the Communist state. He has been leading in opinion polls by about 5-10 per cent.

Mr Hsieh appears to have been closing the gap in recent days. He has cautioned that the common market would cost jobs and that China’s crackdown in Tibet could be replicated in Taiwan, an island of 23 million people.

Mr Ma appeared at a final rally yesterday in the southern city of Kaohsiung. Echoing Barack Obama, he cried: “Does Taiwan want change?” The crowd shouted back: “Yes, change.” A businessman with a factory in mainland China said he backed Mr Ma and hoped that he would start direct links, including flights, to the mainland.

Mr Ma vowed not to change the self-ruled island’s status quo, which means no formal independence but no reunification with the mainland.

Today’s vote is likely to turn on the slowing economy and relations with China, although analysts believe that Beijing’s crackdown in Tibet will enable Mr Hsieh to close the gap on his opponent.

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