William Lai, the candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is set to win Taiwan's presidential election.
The DPP champions Taiwan's separate identity from China and rejects Xi Jinping's territorial claims.
Lai, who is Taiwan's current Vice President, has an impenetrable lead after 95 per cent of polling stations have revealed their results.
His closest rival, Hou Yu-ih a from the opposition party Kuomintang, has conceded defeat.
Lai is Taiwan's current Vice President
ReutersHis other rival former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the small Taiwan People's Party also admitted defeat in the race.
In his victory speech, Lai said: "I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy. We have shown the world how much we cherish our democracy. This is our unwavering commitment.
"Taiwan has achieved a victory for the community of democracies.
"Through our actions, the Taiwanese people have successfully resisted efforts from external forces to influence our elections. We trust that only the people of Taiwan have the right to choose their own president," Lai continued.
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The DPP champions Taiwan's separate identity from China and rejects Xi Jinping's territorial claims
Reuters
He said that the DPP's win meant that Taiwan will continue to "walk on the right path forward".
Lai said he is "determined to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threat and intimidation from China".
Keeping peace across the Taiwan Strait - a 180km wide passage of water separating the country and the Asian continent - is a crucial responsibility of his.
He added that his government will "use dialogue to replace confrontation" in its exchanges with China.
Election workers count ballots at a polling station during the presidential and parliamentary elections in Taipei
Reuters
Supporters of the DPP gather near the DPP party headquarters
Reuters
The DPP were successful in securing a third term in power - the first time a party has managed to do so under the current electoral system.
Ahead of the election, China slammed Lai as a dangerous separatist and rejected his calls for talks.
Lai's victory will likely anger Jinping's party, as the DPP does not accept the "one China principle" which encompasses Hong Kong and Taiwan as part of the country.
Taiwan has been independent since the 1940s however China still claims ownership over the nation and its outlying territories.
It has not ruled out using force to achieve its aims in Taiwan.
