Three candidates have formally entered the race to lead Taiwan's Penghu islands, setting up a contest between the KMT, a small opposition party and an independent.

• Chen Chen-chung, the Huhsi township chief, registered as the KMT candidate, backed by the local party chief and several county councillors.
• He is running on more than 30 years in local government and a promise to give Penghu a clearer economic direction.
• Taiwan Solidarity Union chair Chou Ni-an also registered, pitching herself as new energy for the islands' development.
• Hsu Chih-fu, a former deputy magistrate now running with no party behind him, urged voters to pick on merit rather than party label.

Outlook: With the field now set, the campaign turns to how Penghu grows its tourism-dependent economy, and the KMT starts as the party to beat.