Taiwan’s high-stakes presidential elections concluded with a victory for Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party which is expected to escalate tensions with arch-rival China, which declared the polls as a choice between war and peace. Lai reached more than three million votes by early evening after polls closed at 4 pm, according to a tally by Taiwanese media.

Lai has declared his intention to continue Tsai’s policy that Taiwan is already independent and needs to make no declaration of independence that could spark a military attack from China. The Taiwanese vice president said he remains open to establishing a dialogue with Beijing without conceding the country’s right to rule itself.

This is a developing story. More details to be added.