Opposition cruises to victory in Taiwan election

Taiwan’s opposition candidate cruised to victory in the presidential election today, promising to expand economic ties with China while protecting the island from being swallowed up politically by its giant communist neighbour.

Fireworks lit up the sky over Ma Ying-jeou’s headquarters and cheering supporters put up victory posters as they waited for Mr Ma – a former Taipei mayor – to give a speech. Across town, some wept in a crowd that gathered at the campaign office for ruling party candidate Frank Hsieh, a former premier.