A employees kinds poll papers at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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A employees kinds poll papers at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

ChiangYing-ying/AP

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese are casting their votes Saturday for a brand new president and legislature in an election that might chart the trajectory of the self-ruled democracy’s relations with China over the subsequent 4 years.

At stake is the peace and stability of the island 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the coast of China that Beijing claims as its personal, to be retaken by power if needed. Domestic points such because the sluggish financial system and costly housing additionally featured prominently within the marketing campaign.

Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, who additionally goes by William, votes in the course of the elections in southern Taiwan’s Tainan metropolis on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, who additionally goes by William, votes in the course of the elections in southern Taiwan’s Tainan metropolis on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

Ng Han Guan/AP

Vice President Lai Ching-te, representing the governing Democratic Progressive Party, referred to as the DPP, seeks to succeed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen and provides the independence-leaning get together an unprecedented third time period.

Lai forged his vote in his hometown of Tainan. He remarked on the sunny climate, suggesting it is a good time for Taiwanese folks to exit and vote.

“I encourage everyone around the country to vote with enthusiasm and show the vitality of Taiwan’s democracy,” he mentioned.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih casts a vote for the election in New Taipei City, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih casts a vote for the election in New Taipei City, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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Hou Yu-ih, the candidate of Beijing-favored Kuomintang, also referred to as the Nationalist Party, forged his poll in New Taipei City, a municipality bordering the capital, Taipei. Hou is the mayor of New Taipei, a place from which he took depart to run for president.

“What we need during the election campaign process is chaos,” Hou instructed reporters after casting his vote. “But after the vote, we must be united and face the future of Taiwan together.”

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je emerges from a voting sales space at a polling station in Taipei City, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je emerges from a voting sales space at a polling station in Taipei City, Taiwan, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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Alternative candidate Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, who has proven recognition amongst younger voters looking for an alternative choice to the 2 main events, voted in Taipei.

Asked by journalists how he felt, Ko, in his well-known dry method, mentioned he aimed to attempt his finest each day “and plan for the next stage when we get there.”

Voting started at 8 a.m. (0000 GMT) Saturday and was to wrap up eight hours later.

Candidates concluded their campaigns Friday evening with stirring speeches, however youthful voters had been largely centered on their financial futures in a difficult setting.

Supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, who additionally goes by William, attend a rally in southern Taiwan’s Tainan metropolis on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 forward of the presidential election on Saturday.

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Supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, who additionally goes by William, attend a rally in southern Taiwan’s Tainan metropolis on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 forward of the presidential election on Saturday.

Ng Han Guan/AP

Speaking in his hometown of Tainan within the island’s south, Lai mirrored on why he left his profession as a surgeon due to China’s missile assessments and navy workout routines geared toward intimidating Taiwanese voters earlier than the primary open presidential election in 1996.

“I wanted to protect the democracy that had just gotten underway in Taiwan. I gave up my well-paid job and decided to follow the footsteps of our elders in democracy,” Lai mentioned.

Hou, a former head of Taiwan’s police power, mentioned Lai’s view on relations with Beijing might push the 2 sides to warfare.

“I advocate pragmatic exchanges with China, the defense of national security, and protection of human rights. I insist that Taiwan’s future will be decided by the 23.5 million (people of Taiwan), and I will use my life to protect Taiwan,” Hou mentioned.

China’s navy threats might sway some voters towards independence-leaning candidates, however the U.S. has pledged assist for whichever authorities emerges, strengthened by the Biden administration’s plans to ship an unofficial delegation made up of former senior officers to the island shortly after the election.

Taiwan’s election is seen as having “real and lasting influence on the geopolitical landscape,” mentioned Gabrielle Reid, affiliate director with the worldwide intelligence consultancy S-RM.

“The outcome of the vote will ultimately determine the nature of ties with China relative to the West and will have strong bearing on the state of play in the South China Sea,” she mentioned.

Besides the China tensions, home points dominated the marketing campaign, notably an financial system that was estimated to have grown simply 1.4% final yr. That partly displays inevitable cycles in demand for laptop chips and different exports from the high-tech, closely trade-dependent manufacturing base, and a slowing of the Chinese financial system.

But longer-term challenges akin to unaffordable housing and wage stagnation topped voters’ issues.

The candidate with probably the most votes wins, with no runoff. The legislative races are for districts and at-large seats.