KMT concedes defeat in Taiwan election

The Nationalist Party of China (KMT) – the party which Beijing prefers – has conceded defeat in the Taiwanese elections. With well over half of the votes counted, Taiwan’s ruling party is set to declare victory in their presidential elections. It is a setback for China, which views the Democratic Progressive Party as dangerous separatists. The DPP’s candidate, Taiwanese Vice-President Lai Ching-te, is in the lead with 40.5 per cent of the vote, and is due to speak to the gathered press at 8:30pm (local time). He is followed by KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih with 33.3 per cent, and TPP candidate Ko Wen-je with 26.2 per cent.