JAKARTA - Taiwan's candidate for leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), William Lai Ching-te, on Saturday night declared his victory in the region's election of leaders, while the other two candidates recognized their defeat.

So far 99 percent of the votes have been calculated. Lai got more than 5.58 million votes out of about 14 million ballots, according to local TaiwanPlus TV station reports.

Meanwhile, candidates from the opposition party Kuomitang, Hou Yu-ih, pocketed 4.66 million votes and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwanese People's Party (TPP) received 3.68 million votes.

"We won," Lai said in front of his supporters in Taipei, as reported by Antara, Sunday.

Lai also expressed his gratitude to his supporters and stated that Taiwan would support democracy rather than authoritarianism.

Earlier to the media crew, Lai said he had received the most support and that Taiwan would continue to be on the right track.

"As a leader, I bear an important responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," he told reporters.

"We will use the exchange to replace the inhibition, dialogue to replace confrontation and confidently seek exchange and cooperation with China," Lai said.

Lai will officially take office in May after the four-year term of office for Tsai Ing-wen leader ends.

Currently Lai is still the deputy leader of Tsai Ing-wen and this will be the third DPP term in a row.


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