Taiwan's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-voting-begins-in-polls-closely-watched-by-china-273500">Tsai Ing-wen</a> is seeking a second term against the main challenger <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-2020-china-friendly-han-kuo-yu-challenges-president-tsai-ing-wen-273288">Han Kuo-yu</a> in Saturday's elections.

Watch:&nbsp;Who will win Taiwan's Election?

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Tsai hails from the independence-leaning <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-rival-rallies-on-final-day-before-taiwan-votes-273463">Democratic Progressive Party</a> (DPP) and has been campaigning on a platform of defending Taiwan's sovereignty against threats from Beijing.

Han is from the mainland-friendly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-china-friendly-presidential-hopeful-faces-backlash-in-divided-south-273096">Kuomintang party</a> (KMT) and is pushing for warmer relations with Taiwan's giant authoritarian neighbour.

Here are profiles of the candidates:

Tsai Ing-wen&nbsp;

<img alt="Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen waves after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district, New Taipei City" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b60fa591-af76-42fb-a603-c6d18d1baf44" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29_8.jpg" /> 
[ Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen waves after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district, New Taipei City (Courtesy: AFP) ]

Tsai made history in 2016 when she became Taiwan's first female leader in a landslide election victory, as the public grew wary of the KMT's perceived cosiness with Beijing over the previous eight years.

But it has been far from smooth sailing since the 63-year-old took the helm.

Beijing rebuffed her calls for talks and instead set about isolating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-to-vote-in-shadow-of-china-pressure-hong-kong-protests-272816">Taiwan</a> because Tsai refuses to acknowledge the idea that the island is part of a "one China".

It cut off official communication, ramped up military and economic pressure, froze Taiwan out of major international bodies and poached seven of the island's dwindling diplomatic allies.

On the domestic front, her government's push for a controversial reform agenda, most notably pension cuts and legalising gay marriage, saw her approval ratings dive.

But in the past year, her fortunes have rebounded, going from below 20 points behind at her nadir to significantly ahead of Han.

<img alt="Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen gestures to supporters as she campaigns in the Banqiao" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7591998-6cc1-4122-a879-499be8eccc8b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29_5.jpg" /> 
[ Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gestures to supporters as she campaigns in the Banqiao (Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

Analysts say bellicose threats from Beijing and ongoing massive protests in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-2020-china-friendly-han-kuo-yu-challenges-president-tsai-ing-wen-273288">Hong Kong</a> have helped fuel her resurgence as voters fret about the shadow cast by communist China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day.

Her push to legalise gay marriage, while divisive, also reinvigorated her youth base.

Born into a wealthy family, Tsai was an academic and a trade negotiator before she entered politics.

Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, she has frequently had to battle misogynistic insults in a political culture where male veterans have historically dominated.

She lost her first presidential bid in 2012, but stayed the course and won increased support from within her own party and the public ahead of her 2016 victory.

Her 2020 campaign has remained largely gaffe-free as she pushes the idea that the DPP will stand up to China and maintain Taiwan's position as one of Asia's most progressive democracies.

While the economy has fared well during her tenure even in the midst of the global trade war, it is the main attack point for her opponents who accuse the DPP of needlessly antagonising China and leaving Taiwan struggling as a result.

Han Kuo-yu

<img alt="Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes at Linyuan District in Kaohsiung" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4fba2a3-1aa9-4662-a1d6-e817ba380ddb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_5.jpg" /> 
[ Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes at Linyuan District in Kaohsiung (Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

Han Kuo-yu fits the current zeitgeist for populist outsiders who shake up the old political establishment.

In the past two years, the 62-year-old has journeyed from relative obscurity to KMT presidential candidate, backed by a fervent base of supporters that local media have dubbed the "Han tide".

But he has struggled to maintain his stellar rise since winning his party's primary.

Written off by many KMT bigwigs, Han shot to political stardom in 2018 when he swept the mayoralty of Kaohsiung, a city in the south of Taiwan that had long been a DPP heartland.

He then saw off challenges by billionaire Foxconn founder Terry Gou and other veteran politicians to seize the primary.

Han has projected a plain-talking "everyman" image, using his modest upbringing and experience of unemployment to appeal to grassroots voters.

He has shown a knack for using the criticism to his advantage. When a spokesman for Tsai dismissed Han as something of a country bumpkin by calling him an "earthen steamed bun", he responded by presiding over a steamed bun cooking competition. &nbsp;

<img alt="Han Kuo-Yu, Taiwan’s presidential candidate prays for the victims killed during a helicopter crash during campaign rally in Tainan " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="65d94af8-1666-4280-b756-ec7d827627e1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_5.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Han Kuo-Yu, Taiwan’s presidential candidate prays for the victims killed during a helicopter crash during a campaign rally in Tainan&nbsp;(Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

Han has described January's vote as a choice between "peace or crisis" with China, campaigning on the slogan "Taiwan safe, people rich" with promises to restore warmer ties with Beijing and boost the economy.

That message appeals to many, especially those whose businesses rely on the much larger mainland economy.

But it has left Han vulnerable to criticism that he is too friendly towards <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-rival-rallies-on-final-day-before-taiwan-votes-273463">Beijing</a>, especially after he met senior Chinese officials during a trip to the mainland last year.

Han's plain-talking has also resulted in gaffes on the campaign trail as well as accusations that he is a "runaway mayor" who promised to bring jobs and investment to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-polls-millions-cast-votes-in-a-closely-watched-presidential-and-parliamentary-election-273580">Kaohsiung</a> only to run for president instead.

He remains significantly behind in most polls.&nbsp;

But Han has often been written off in the past, only to prove his detractors wrong once the votes are cast.&nbsp;

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking a second term against the main challenger Han Kuo-yu in Saturday's elections. Watch: Who will win Taiwan's Election? × Tsai hails from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has been campaigning on a platform of defending Taiwan's sovereignty against threats from Beijing.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking a second term against the main challenger Han Kuo-yu in Saturday's elections. Watch: Who will win Taiwan's Election? × Tsai hails from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has been campaigning on a platform of defending Taiwan's sovereignty against threats from Beijing. Han is from the mainland-friendly Kuomintang party (KMT) and is pushing for warmer relations with Taiwan's giant authoritarian neighbour. Here are profiles of the candidates: Tsai Ing-wen [ Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen waves after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district, New Taipei City (Courtesy: AFP) ] Tsai made history in 2016 when she became Taiwan's first female leader in a landslide election victory, as the public grew wary of the KMT's perceived cosiness with Beijing over the previous eight years. But it has been far from smooth sailing since the 63-year-old took the helm. Beijing rebuffed her calls for talks and instead set about isolating Taiwan because Tsai refuses to acknowledge the idea that the island is part of a "one China". It cut off official communication, ramped up military and economic pressure, froze Taiwan out of major international bodies and poached seven of the island's dwindling diplomatic allies. On the domestic front, her government's push for a controversial reform agenda, most notably pension cuts and legalising gay marriage, saw her approval ratings dive. But in the past year, her fortunes have rebounded, going from below 20 points behind at her nadir to significantly ahead of Han. [ Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gestures to supporters as she campaigns in the Banqiao (Courtesy: AFP) ] Analysts say bellicose threats from Beijing and ongoing massive protests in Hong Kong have helped fuel her resurgence as voters fret about the shadow cast by communist China, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day. Her push to legalise gay marriage, while divisive, also reinvigorated her youth base. Born into a wealthy family, Tsai was an academic and a trade negotiator before she entered politics. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, she has frequently had to battle misogynistic insults in a political culture where male veterans have historically dominated. She lost her first presidential bid in 2012, but stayed the course and won increased support from within her own party and the public ahead of her 2016 victory. Her 2020 campaign has remained largely gaffe-free as she pushes the idea that the DPP will stand up to China and maintain Taiwan's position as one of Asia's most progressive democracies. While the economy has fared well during her tenure even in the midst of the global trade war, it is the main attack point for her opponents who accuse the DPP of needlessly antagonising China and leaving Taiwan struggling as a result. Han Kuo-yu [ Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes at Linyuan District in Kaohsiung (Courtesy: AFP) ] Han Kuo-yu fits the current zeitgeist for populist outsiders who shake up the old political establishment. In the past two years, the 62-year-old has journeyed from relative obscurity to KMT presidential candidate, backed by a fervent base of supporters that local media have dubbed the "Han tide". But he has struggled to maintain his stellar rise since winning his party's primary. Written off by many KMT bigwigs, Han shot to political stardom in 2018 when he swept the mayoralty of Kaohsiung, a city in the south of Taiwan that had long been a DPP heartland. He then saw off challenges by billionaire Foxconn founder Terry Gou and other veteran politicians to seize the primary. Han has projected a plain-talking "everyman" image, using his modest upbringing and experience of unemployment to appeal to grassroots voters. He has shown a knack for using the criticism to his advantage. When a spokesman for Tsai dismissed Han as something of a country bumpkin by calling him an "earthen steamed bun", he responded by presiding over a steamed bun cooking competition. [ Han Kuo-Yu, Taiwan’s presidential candidate prays for the victims killed during a helicopter crash during a campaign rally in Tainan (Courtesy: AFP) ] Han has described January's vote as a choice between "peace or crisis" with China, campaigning on the slogan "Taiwan safe, people rich" with promises to restore warmer ties with Beijing and boost the economy. That message appeals to many, especially those whose businesses rely on the much larger mainland economy. But it has left Han vulnerable to criticism that he is too friendly towards Beijing, especially after he met senior Chinese officials during a trip to the mainland last year. Han's plain-talking has also resulted in gaffes on the campaign trail as well as accusations that he is a "runaway mayor" who promised to bring jobs and investment to Kaohsiung only to run for president instead. He remains significantly behind in most polls. But Han has often been written off in the past, only to prove his detractors wrong once the votes are cast.

Tsai versus Han: Taiwan's top two presidential candidates

At a raucous&nbsp;election&nbsp;rally for Taiwanese President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-voting-begins-in-polls-closely-watched-by-china-273500">Tsai Ing-wen</a>,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Konger Karen Leung surveyed the huge crowd of excited flag-waving voters as a rap song blasted over the loudspeakers and sighed: "We&nbsp;want&nbsp;to have&nbsp;elections&nbsp;like this."

Leung is one of the scores of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;election</a>&nbsp;tourists&nbsp;who have travelled to&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;this week to witness something denied to them universal suffrage.

Tsai, who is seeking a second term, has repeatedly invoked the seven months of pro-democracy protests engulfing the financial hub as a warning call for what might happen should Beijing succeed in its wish to one day take control of&nbsp;Taiwan.

Her opponent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-2020-china-friendly-han-kuo-yu-challenges-president-tsai-ing-wen-273288">Han Kuo-yu</a> of the Kuomintang party favours warmer ties with China but has also promised to defend the island's freedoms.

<img alt="Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f5d1953d-f3ca-44f3-b469-1876cb061aad" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2813%29_4.jpg" /> 
[ Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes at Linyuan District in Kaohsiung&nbsp;(Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

In the days running up to Saturday's presidential and parliamentary&nbsp;elections,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers have become an increasingly common sight at Tsai's&nbsp;rallies.

"I feel like there is hope here (in&nbsp;Taiwan)," Leung, a 26-year-old accountant, told reporters&nbsp;after getting a tote bag stamped with&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's pro-democracy protests slogans at a booth on the sidelines of Tsai's final rally on Friday night.

"Taiwan&nbsp;has its freedom and they are standing up to China," she added.

She also took on twitter and wrote: "Tomorrow, the power rests in our hands. Let’s show the world that the light of democracy burns strong in #Taiwan. Get out and vote!"

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tomorrow, the power rests in our hands. Let’s show the world that the light of democracy burns strong in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiwan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwan</a>. Get out &amp; vote! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiwan2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwan2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsWin2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsWin2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/YB4dQg7XlK">pic.twitter.com/YB4dQg7XlK</a>
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) <a href="https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1215588814237757440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Hong&nbsp;Kong's democracy activists have long maintained close ties with Taipei, an island that transitioned from decades of dictatorship into one of Asia's most liberal democracies.

But months of violent pro-democracy protests in the city has intensified Taiwanese interest&nbsp;as debate rages about how close to tack to its giant authoritarian neighbour.

The phrase "Today&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, tomorrow&nbsp;Taiwan" has become a popular slogan among supporters of Tsai's ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-has-urgent-need-for-infiltration-law-in-face-of-china-president-tsai-ing-wen-270657">Democratic Progressive Party</a> (DPP).

Kyle, a 26-year-old&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Konger at Tsai's Friday night rally, said he took inspiration from how&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;shook off its own dictatorship under Kuomintang leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-terror-hong-kongs-china-critics-beaten-in-targeted-attacks-257848">Chiang Kai-shek</a> and also have resisted pressure from Beijing's communist leadership.

Watch:&nbsp;A brief analysis of Taiwan elections 2020

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"The people of&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;bled and even sacrificed their lives until they had democracy," he said.

"In&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, we only have struggled for several years in fighting for democracy, so there is no reason for us to give up so quickly."

The island does not recognise the concept of asylum. But under Tsai's administration, officials have turned a blind eye to dozens of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers who have fled there and Taiwanese supporters have also sent gas masks and helmets to protesters.

"The movement in the past year has brought&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-election-2020-china-friendly-han-kuo-yu-challenges-president-tsai-ing-wen-273288">Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and&nbsp;Taiwan</a>&nbsp;closer," Ivy, a 36-year-old social worker who travelled from the city, told reporters.

"Taiwan&nbsp;has helped&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong. They didn't drive away from the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;youngsters who fled our city," she said at the Tsai rally.

A smattering of the financial hub's flag and pro-demonstration slogans have now become commonplace at Tsai's&nbsp;rallies.

<img alt="Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen waves after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eac3bef5-046e-414a-b22e-5872cbfc3528" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29_6.jpg" /> 
[ Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen waves&nbsp;after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district (Courtesy: AFP) ]

When Tsai appeared at a Thursday night rally, the crowd shouted the popular protest chant: "Free&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, the revolution of our times."

Some Taiwanese have even dressed up as protesters from the restive city.

A 19-year-old, who gave his surname Lu, was greeting participants draped in a pro-democracy&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;flag and wearing a yellow construction helmet, a symbol of the city's protests, and holding a placard urging young people to&nbsp;vote.

"I'm showing my support for the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;frontline protesters who are fighting the police," he said. "I am worried that what's happening in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;could happen in&nbsp;Taiwan."

At a raucous election rally for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Hong Konger Karen Leung surveyed the huge crowd of excited flag-waving voters as a rap song blasted over the loudspeakers and sighed: "We want to have elections like this.

At a raucous election rally for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Hong Konger Karen Leung surveyed the huge crowd of excited flag-waving voters as a rap song blasted over the loudspeakers and sighed: "We want to have elections like this." Leung is one of the scores of Hong Kong election tourists who have travelled to Taiwan this week to witness something denied to them universal suffrage. Tsai, who is seeking a second term, has repeatedly invoked the seven months of pro-democracy protests engulfing the financial hub as a warning call for what might happen should Beijing succeed in its wish to one day take control of Taiwan. Her opponent Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang party favours warmer ties with China but has also promised to defend the island's freedoms. [ Han Kuo-Yu, presidential candidate for Taiwan, casts his ballot as he votes at Linyuan District in Kaohsiung (Courtesy: AFP) ] In the days running up to Saturday's presidential and parliamentary elections, Hong Kongers have become an increasingly common sight at Tsai's rallies. "I feel like there is hope here (in Taiwan)," Leung, a 26-year-old accountant, told reporters after getting a tote bag stamped with Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests slogans at a booth on the sidelines of Tsai's final rally on Friday night. "Taiwan has its freedom and they are standing up to China," she added. She also took on twitter and wrote: "Tomorrow, the power rests in our hands. Let’s show the world that the light of democracy burns strong in #Taiwan. Get out and vote!" Tomorrow, the power rests in our hands. Let’s show the world that the light of democracy burns strong in #Taiwan. Get out & vote! #Taiwan2020 #LetsWin2020 pic.twitter.com/YB4dQg7XlK — 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) January 10, 2020 × Hong Kong's democracy activists have long maintained close ties with Taipei, an island that transitioned from decades of dictatorship into one of Asia's most liberal democracies. But months of violent pro-democracy protests in the city has intensified Taiwanese interest as debate rages about how close to tack to its giant authoritarian neighbour. The phrase "Today Hong Kong, tomorrow Taiwan" has become a popular slogan among supporters of Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Kyle, a 26-year-old Hong Konger at Tsai's Friday night rally, said he took inspiration from how Taiwan shook off its own dictatorship under Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek and also have resisted pressure from Beijing's communist leadership. Watch: A brief analysis of Taiwan elections 2020 Video Embed Code: × "The people of Taiwan bled and even sacrificed their lives until they had democracy," he said. "In Hong Kong, we only have struggled for several years in fighting for democracy, so there is no reason for us to give up so quickly." The island does not recognise the concept of asylum. But under Tsai's administration, officials have turned a blind eye to dozens of Hong Kongers who have fled there and Taiwanese supporters have also sent gas masks and helmets to protesters. "The movement in the past year has brought Hong Kong and Taiwan closer," Ivy, a 36-year-old social worker who travelled from the city, told reporters. "Taiwan has helped Hong Kong. They didn't drive away from the Hong Kong youngsters who fled our city," she said at the Tsai rally. A smattering of the financial hub's flag and pro-demonstration slogans have now become commonplace at Tsai's rallies. [ Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen waves after voting at a polling station in Chunghe district (Courtesy: AFP) ] When Tsai appeared at a Thursday night rally, the crowd shouted the popular protest chant: "Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our times." Some Taiwanese have even dressed up as protesters from the restive city. A 19-year-old, who gave his surname Lu, was greeting participants draped in a pro-democracy Hong Kong flag and wearing a yellow construction helmet, a symbol of the city's protests, and holding a placard urging young people to vote. "I'm showing my support for the Hong Kong frontline protesters who are fighting the police," he said. "I am worried that what's happening in Hong Kong could happen in Taiwan."

Taiwan Election 2020: Hong Kong tourist cites 'We want this' during election rally

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Tsai versus Han: Taiwan's top two presidential candidates

Taiwan Election 2020: Hong Kong tourist cites 'We want this' during election rally