Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party was on course to take the presidency Saturday with more than half of 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 broadcast on Taiwan's FTV, with Eric Chu of the ruling Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) second on 32.5 percent.

The win would make her the island's first female leader as voters turn their backs on closer China ties.