Taiwan goes to polls in historic presidential vote

The boisterous democracy is likely to push back against Beijing by bringing scholar-turned-politician Tsai Ing-wen to power, unseating the China-friendly ruling party.

Voters are uneasy about warming relations and, as the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with China have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.

Tsai is the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which has a much warier approach to China than the unpopular ruling Kuomintang (KMT). Tsai is well ahead of KMT candidate Eric Chu in the polls.

"I feel very proud to have this right to participate in decision-making on our future," said finance worker Sean Chen, 31, voting in Taipei.

"It's a chance to tell the world what we really think."

More than 18 million are eligible to vote Saturday, many of them criticising the KMT for failing to deliver on the economy and moving too close to China.

"Taiwan needs change, economically and politically," said one 65-year-old voter in Taipei who gave his name as Lee.

"The government leaned too easily on China."

In the KMT stronghold of New Taipei City, some voters were subdued.

"I'm afraid Tsai Ing-wen is likely to get elected. You know her position on cross-strait ties -- if she cannot properly handle the issues and tensions escalate, no-one will benefit," said shop owner Yang Chin-chun, 78.

But it was the plight of a teenage Taiwanese K-pop star that dominated local news coverage Saturday, with presidential candidates drawn into the row.

Chou Tzu-yu, 16, of girl-band TWICE who is based in South Korea, was forced to apologise after sparking online criticism in China for waving Taiwan's official flag in a recent online broadcast.

Her remorseful video went viral within hours, with Tsai, Chu, and Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou all leaping to her defence and demanding answers from China and South Korea over her treatment.

Beijing warnings

Tsai has walked a careful path on her China strategy, saying she wants to maintain the "status quo" with Beijing.

But the DPP is traditionally a pro-independence party and opponents say Tsai will destabilise relations.

Current KMT president Ma has overseen a dramatic rapprochement with China since coming to power in 2008.

Although Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in 1949, it has never declared independence and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification.

The thaw culminated in a summit between Ma and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

Yet despite more than 20 deals and a tourist boom, closer ties have exacerbated fears that China is eroding Taiwan's sovereignty by making it economically dependent.

Low salaries and high housing prices are also riling voters.

Beijing has warned it will not deal with any leader who does not recognise the "one China" principle, part of a tacit agreement between Beijing and the KMT known as the "1992 consensus".

The DPP has never recognised the consensus.

Observers say it is unlikely Tsai will do anything to provoke Beijing if she wins.

Analysts also agree there will not be any immediate backlash from China, as alienating Taiwan would play against Beijing's ultimate aim of reunification.

"Relations will be more complicated and less predictable. They will deteriorate to some extent but at the same time Beijing's interest is to keep Taiwan as dependent economically," said political analyst Jean-Pierre Cabestan of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Some say Beijing will employ tougher tactics if it feels there is no progress in dialogue.

Polls close at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT), with results announced Saturday night.