Pro-Independence Party Wins In Taiwan Election

A pro-independence opposition party has claimed victory in elections in Taiwan.

With voting nearly complete, Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party was leading with more than 50 percent of the vote ahead of Chu Li-lun of the ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which has conceded defeat.

Tsai is set to become the first female president of the island nation.

Her pro-independence position is likely to cause tensions in relations with Beijing, which considers Taiwan as a separatist province and has threatened its recapture.

More than 18 million were eligible to vote, many of them criticizing the unpopular ruling party for failing to deliver on the economy and moving too close to China.

The new legislature will be seated next month, and Tsai will be inaugurated later.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP