Ma Ying-jeo storms to election victory

OPPOSITION candidate Ma Ying-jeo stormed to victory in Taiwan's presidential election today with an unassailable lead in the vote count, TV stations reported.

With more than 90 per cent of votes counted, Ma had a massive 17-point lead over Frank Hsieh of the pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Jubilant supports of Ma's Kuomintang party cheered and whistled and partied at KMT headquarters in the capital Taipei and other cities across Taiwan.

Ma has pledged to work for closer ties with China, including a peace treaty to end decades of hostilities between Beijing and the self-ruled island.

His victory ends eight years of DPP presidency under Chen Shui-bian, who is stepping down after the maximum two terms, and which were marked by recurring tensions with China over his pro-independence policies.