Taiwan's polls close in election that could test China ties
Vote counting is underway after polls closed in Taiwan's elections. The island is expected to elect its first female president and partially reverse a rapprochement with China.
Academic-turned-politician Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) is expected to win the election, taking the country's top position from the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), which after eight years in power has voters uneasy over stagnant economic growth and closer ties with mainland China.
Since coming to power in 2008, current KMT president Ma Ying-jeou has sought to improve ties with China, signing multiple trade and transport agreements.
The diplomatic rapprochement culminated in an historic meeting between Ma and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. Yet while the KMT and its presidential candidate Eric Chu have lauded their accomplishments, voters appear to feel differently.
Academic-turned-politician Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) is expected to win the election, taking the country's top position from the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), which after eight years in power has voters uneasy over stagnant economic growth and closer ties with mainland China.
Since coming to power in 2008, current KMT president Ma Ying-jeou has sought to improve ties with China, signing multiple trade and transport agreements.
The diplomatic rapprochement culminated in an historic meeting between Ma and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November. Yet while the KMT and its presidential candidate Eric Chu have lauded their accomplishments, voters appear to feel differently.
