Opinion poll begins in which Taiwanese voters choose the next president, taking into account the threat of China and the island’s stability.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese are voting Saturday to elect a new president in an election that could shape the trajectory of relations with China for the next four years.

Peace and stability in the 110-mile-wide (177-kilometer-wide) maritime zone between mainland China and the self-governing island is at stake. China claims as its own.

Vice President Lai Kiyotoku, who represents the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, known as the Democratic Progressive Party, is set to succeed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen and give the independence-minded party an unprecedented third term. Mr. Lai plans to vote in his hometown of Tainan.

Hou Youxi, a candidate for the Kuomintang (also known as Kuomintang) party backed by the Chinese government, is scheduled to vote in New Taipei City.

Taiwan People’s Party alternative candidate Ko Wen-je, who is popular among young voters seeking an alternative to the two major parties, will vote in Taipei.

Voting began at 8am (00:00 GMT) on Saturday and was scheduled to end eight hours later.

Candidates wrapped up their campaigns Friday night with stirring speeches, but young voters were primarily focused on the future of the economy in a difficult environment.

Speaking in his hometown of Tainan, Lai explained why he quit his career as a surgeon due to Chinese missile tests and military exercises aimed at intimidating Taiwanese voters before the first open presidential election in 1996. I looked back.

“I wanted to protect Taiwan’s nascent democracy. I decided to quit my well-paid job and follow in the footsteps of my predecessors in democracy,” Lai said.

Hou, a former Taiwanese police chief and mayor of a suburb of the capital, said Lai’s views on relations with China could lead to uncertainty and even the possibility of war.

“I advocate realistic exchanges with China, national security, and the protection of human rights. ” said Hou.

China’s military threat may turn some voters against independence-minded candidates, but the United States has pledged to support whatever government is formed, and immediately after the election, it announced a new government made up of former senior officials. The Biden administration’s plans to send an unofficial delegation to the island have also been stepped up.

The move is an attempt to repair Sino-American relations, which have cooled in recent years over trade, the coronavirus pandemic, increased U.S. support for Taiwan, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn at the United Nations. may disrupt efforts to do so.

Apart from China tensions, Taiwan’s election mainly hinges on: domestic issues, especially an economy that is estimated to have grown by just 1.4% last year. This partly reflects the inevitable cycle of demand for computer chips and other exports from its high-tech, trade-dependent manufacturing base and a slowdown in China’s economy.

However, long-term challenges such as housing affordability, the gap between rich and poor, and unemployment are particularly salient.