First lady winning votes for Ma with her charm

A deep bow, a sincere smile and a warm handshake have helped Taiwan's first lady, Christine Chou Mei-ching, capture the hearts of many from both sides of the political fence.

Chou has become the island's equivalent of former US first lady Laura Bush, who was popular with both Republicans and Democrats while her husband, George W. Bush, was struggling to improve his low approval rating during his second presidential term.

In many areas she visits, Chou has to spend more than two hours to walk a route that would normally take 10 minutes, such is the crush of fans trying to get a glimpse of her.

Supporters shouted 'Sister Mei-ching', 'Auntie Mei-ching' and 'Go, go, go, Chou Mei-ching' when she began a campaign trip on January 2 to canvass support for the re-election of her husband, President Ma Ying-jeou.

Ma is engaged in a tough fight with his major challenger, Dr Tsai Ing-wen of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party. The race is so close that no one is certain who will win.

Enthusiastic supporters welcomed Chou when she campaigned recently at a traditional market in Keelung, in northern Taiwan - the bastion of Ma's mainland-friendly Kuomintang party.

'I just shook hands with her, I just did,' shouted a female vendor as Chou gently shook hands with people who had flocked to see her.