Polls open as Taiwan voters choose next president, weighing China’S threat and island’s stability

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese are casting their votes Saturday for a new president in an election that could chart the trajectory of its relations with China over the next four years.

At stake is the peace and stability of the 110-mile-wide (177-kilometer-wide) strip of water between the Chinese mainland and the self-governed island claimed by China as its own.

Vice President Lai Ching-te, representing the governing Democratic Progressive Party, known as the DPP, seeks to succeed the outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen and give the independence-leaning party an unprecedented third term. Lai will be voting in his hometown of Tainan.

Hou Yu-ih, the candidate of Beijing-favored Kuomintang Party, also known as the Nationalist Party, will be casting his ballot in New Taipei City.

Alternative candidate Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, who has shown popularity among young voters who seek an alternative to the two major parties, will be voting in Taipei.

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

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