Hundreds of thousands in Taiwan took to the streets on Saturday, Dec. 21, both in support of and against presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu.

Han, who is from the pro-Beijing Kuomintang (KMT) party, is challenging incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Anti-Han rally

Anti-Han protesters, who started their rally at about 1pm from Wufu 1st Road in the northern part of the city, called for the Kaohsiung mayor to step down.

Chanting slogans such as, "Recall Han Kuo-yu" and "Liberate Kaohsiung", they accused him of abandoning the city in favour of pursuing his political ambitions shortly after getting elected, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

According to Taipei Times, the organisers -- local activist group Wecare Kaohsiung -- estimated their turnout to be at 500,000.

Han called for counter-rally

On the other hand, the mass rally supporting Han kicked off at 1:11pm in Shennong Road in the southern part of the city.

The time was chosen to coincide with Jan. 11, the date of Taiwan's presidential election in 2020.

SCMP reported that Han had called for his supporters to stage the counter rally.

During the rally, his supporters waved Republic of China flags, shouted slogans such as, "Remove Tsai Ing-wen", and sang his campaign songs, Focus Taiwan reported.

The pro-Han camp put the estimated turnout at 350,000.

The Kaohsiung City Police Department had deployed more than 3,000 officers to maintain order.

Both rallies, filled with carnival-like atmospheres, came only 3.8km apart of each other at one point.

However, the rallies were peaceful and the day ended without incident.

Why is Han behind Tsai in popularity polls?

The rallies occurred less than three weeks to Taiwan's presidential election.

Han is currently trailing behind his opponent, the incumbent Tsai Ing-wen in opinion polls.

While he was elected in a stunning electoral victory in November 2018, his popularity started waning due to his verbal gaffes, concerns about his pro-Beijing stance, and his purchase of expensive property despite his "regular Joe" image.

Han had called for his supporters to ignore the opinion polls, saying they are "fake", Focus Taiwan reported.

Why the perception that Han "abandoned" Kaohsiung?

Han is taking three months off his official duties between October and polling day on Jan. 11, 2020, contributing to the perception that he abandoned his duties.

Although not unusual, some residents have been unhappy as he was perceived to have achieved little for the city despite promising them a great deal.

Before taking leave, Han was already travelling all over the island, and was often absent from official meetings in Kaohsiung, such as sessions of the City Council, Taiwan News reported.

A petition was started to campaign for his removal from office, gathering 300,000 signatures, according to Taipei Times.

Residents also put up "missing persons" ads ridiculing his island-wide campaign for president at the expense of his duties in Kaohsiung.

Top image via Han Kuo-yu/Facebook 

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