Lai said in his victory speech that he defends democracy. China, which is tough on Taiwan, has described the election winner as a threat to peace.
In Taiwan, the presidential election is being won by the current vice president, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lai Ching-tealso known as William Lai.
The opposing candidate was the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih admitted his defeat and congratulated Lai.
Hou’s victory would have been a more desirable outcome for China, which interprets Taiwan as belonging to itself.
China has described Lai as a serious danger that would threaten peace by continuing the “evil path of provoking independence”. The state media has called Lai a separatist whose election as president would further weaken the relationship between China and Taiwan.
The news is updated.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, STT