Lai Ching-te wins 3rd straight Taiwan presidential poll for ruling DPP

China-skeptic Lai vows to continue the policies of incumbent Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party, attends a rally in Taipei after his victory in the Jan. 13 election. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)

LAULY LI, CHENG TING-FANG, and KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei staff writers, and THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

January 13, 2024 21:39 JST

Updated on January 13, 2024 23:46 JST

TAIPEI -- Lai Ching-te of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Saturday's presidential election after a tight three-way race, giving the China-skeptic party an unprecedented third consecutive term in office since democratic polls for the presidency were introduced in 1996.

Lai is likely to continue the policies of incumbent Tsai Ing-wen and seek to maintain the status quo with China over the next four years after he takes office in May.