Former Taiwanese vice-premier Yeh Chu-lan is strongly tipped to be the running mate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's presidential nominee, former premier Frank Hsieh Chang-ting.
The 57-year-old politician was the first DPP heavyweight to endorse Mr Hsieh when he declared his intention to run for president.
After winning the first stage of the party primary on Sunday, Mr Hsieh immediately spoke of his appreciation for Ms Yeh, saying: 'She has helped me a great deal.'
A veteran government executive, Ms Yeh has served as transport minister, head of the Hakka Affairs Commission and acting mayor of Kaohsiung. As a Hakka herself, Ms Yeh has maintained good relations with the community, a minority accounting for 15 per cent of Taiwan's population.
Her late husband, Cheng Nan-jung, set himself on fire in the 1980s to protest against the suppression of freedom of speech by the Kuomintang government. After his death from the injuries he suffered, Ms Yeh devoted herself to fighting for freedom and human rights in Taiwan, becoming one of the most-respected figures within the pro-independence camp.
Asked if her support for Mr Hsieh had anything to do with her hopes of becoming vice-president, Ms Yeh said: 'It is all out of friendship. There is no condition at all.'