Taiwan gets first female President as China-friendly party loses

Tsai Ing-wen, 59, won around 60 per cent of the vote for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been less enthusiastic about economic integration with China, while the KMT's Eric Chu admitted defeat garnering 30 per cent, with two-third of all polling stations reporting results by Saturday evening.

A former law professor on Saturday was elected as Taiwan's first female president, handing a landslide defeat to the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) which pursued closer economic ties with the mainland over 8 years in office.

Tsai Ing-wen, 59, won around 60 per cent of the vote for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has been less enthusiastic about economic integration with China, while the KMT's Eric Chu admitted defeat garnering 30 per cent, with two-third of all polling stations reporting results by Saturday evening.

China regards Taiwan, an island of 23 million, as a "breakaway" province, although China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the KMT, losing to the Communist Party of China, fled to Taiwan.

Outgoing KMT President Ma Ying-jeou fostered closer economic ties with the mainland, with a landmark economic framework agreement boosting trade ties. Ma in 2015 held a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore - the first ever meeting between the heads of China and Taiwan - reflecting a warming of ties.

However, perceptions among many sections in Taiwan that the benefits were not being shared - and largely profited elites - led to growing disenchantment, culminating in "Sunflower movement" protests by students last year calling for revising what they described as opaque trade deals.

Fears of Taiwan's identity being eroded as it fell into China's economic orbit have also risen. Only around two dozen countries - many of which are small island states - maintain diplomatic ties amid China's growing global clout.

In her victory speech, Tsai struck a somewhat conciliatory tone, promising stability in ties with the mainland and "consistent and predictable" cross-Strait ties.

At the same time, hinting at a different economic approach, she said she would rule with greater transparency and would protect Taiwan's sovereignty as a priority. Describing the election as historic, Tsai said the "democratic spirit" of Taiwan was the election's biggest significance, hinting at a contrast with one party-ruled China.