Taiwanese leader Thai Anh Van announced his second term election, while rival South Korea Du admitted defeat.

Thai Anh Van today held a press conference in Taipei City to declare victory in the election, urging Beijing to give up the threat of using force to bring about peace.

"I called Ms. Thai to congratulate," South Korean rival Du told supporters in Kaohsiung City and admitted defeat after the vote counting results.

The results announced by the Taiwan Election Commission at the end of the day showed that Ms. Thai was elected to the second term with 8.2 million votes, equivalent to 57% of the valid votes, up more than 1.3 million from the election. In 2016, Mr. Korea Du reached 39%, while the remaining independent candidate won only 4%.

Previous Taiwanese voters went to the polls to vote for the island's leader and legislature. The vote was judged to have a great influence on the future of relations between Taiwan and mainland China, when the two candidates had opposing views.

Taiwanese leader Thai Anh Van wants to be elected for a second term with a view to opposing the "One China" policy, claiming to be the "defender of Taiwan" from the growing influence of mainland China. Meanwhile, South Korean rival Du, 62, pursues closer ties with Beijing.

Experts say Beijing will be angry if Ms. Thai is re-elected. Her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds a majority in Taiwan's legislature and their position is difficult to be shaken after the election.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory waiting for reunification, including by force if necessary. Relations between the two straits of the Taiwan Strait have cooled since she took office in mid-2016. Beijing is also believed to have pressured 7 Taipei's diplomatic allies to sever ties with the island. , and often put military pressure on Taiwan.