【By Lawrence Chung, Minnie Chan and Liu Zhen in Taipei and Joyce Ng, Gloria Chan, Mimi Lau, Nectar Gan】

Pro-independence party candidate Tsai Ing-wen has claimed victory in Taiwan’s presidential election to become the island’s first female head of state.

Tsai said in her victory speech tonight that the election outcome was a further show of how ingrained democracy had become in Taiwan, adding: “The people of Taiwan have elected a government that will defend Taiwan’s sovereignty.”

She also warned China that “suppression” would harm cross-strait ties.

“Our democratic system, national identity and international space must be respected. Any forms of suppression will harm the stability of cross-strait relations,” she said.

[South China Morning Post, 2016-01-16]