REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TAIPEI -- Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party was on course for a landslide election victory Saturday, a win that would make her the island's first female president as voters turn their backs on closer China ties.

With more than half the votes counted, Tsai of the Beijing-wary Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was ahead with 58.1 percent, according to a live count from polling stations by Taiwan's FTV.

Eric Chu of the ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) was trailing in second on 32.5 percent.

Veteran conservative candidate James Soong of the People First Party was third with 9.4 percent.

Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under KMT president Ma Ying-jeou, who must step down after a maximum two terms.

As the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with the mainland have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.

The DPP has a much more cautious approach to China, although Tsai has repeatedly said she wants to maintain the "status quo".

Crowds were gathering at the DPP's headquarters in Taipei Saturday evening where vendors sold everything from cups to key chains bearing Tsai's image.

One small group held up a banner saying: "Taiwan is not part of China. Support Taiwan independence."

"China has no right to claim Taiwan and we want to say that to the world," said one member of the group, Angela Shi, who returned from San Francisco to vote.

"Taiwan needs change, economically and politically," said a 65-year-old voter at a polling station in Taipei earlier in the day, who gave his name as Lee.

"The government leaned too easily on China."

But others in the KMT stronghold of New Taipei City voiced concern.

"You know her position on cross-strait ties -- if she cannot properly handle the issues and tensions escalate, no-one will benefit," said shop owner Yang Chin-chun, 78.

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