Ma Ying-jeou at a polling center at Taipei, 22 Mar 2008

Taiwan's future president, Ma Ying-jeou, is a U.S.-educated lawyer who served as minister for justice and minister without portfolio during the 1990s.

Mr. Ma unseated Chen Shui-bian, the current president, as Taipei mayor in 1998. 

Last August, Mr. Ma was cleared of corruption charges filed against him.  The charges prompted his resignation as party chairman.  Prosecutors accused him of misusing $365,000 in government funds while Taipei mayor.

Mr. Ma has vowed not to provoke China with independence moves, so the two sides can co-exist and promote economic integration.

He has said he wants to open direct air and shipping links with China.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.