The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Tsai Ing-wen is poised to become the self-governing island's first female president, returning the main opposition party to power after eight years under the China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, Party (KMT).
Pre-election polls showed that scholar-turned-politician Tsai Ing-wen, with a far more careful approach to China than the ruling KMT of President Ma Ying-jeou, will win the election.
Parliamentary polls were also held, and if the DPP wins those too, Tsai will get an even stronger mandate.
Tsai has walked a careful path on her China strategy, saying she wants to maintain the "status quo" with Beijing.
However, the DPP is traditionally a pro-independence party and opponents say Tsai will destabilise relations.
Rapprochement
After decades of enmity, current KMT President Ma Ying-jeou 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 formally declared independence, and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification - by force if necessary.
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.
In 2014, the government was forced to shelve a trade pact after student-led protesters occupied parliament.
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.
Source: Agencies - aljazeera.com
16/1/16
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***BREAKING:
- Pro-independence opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen is elected Taiwan's first female president
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