Opposition leader Han votes in Taiwan elections

The leader of Taiwan's opposition party cast his vote on Saturday in the city of Kaohsiung in an election seen crucial for the future of the nation's democracy.

Han Kuo-yu of the Nationalist Party queued up at a polling station in the southern Taiwanese city where is mayor.

For many in Taiwan, months of protests in Hong Kong have cast in stark relief the contrast between their democratically governed island and authoritarian, communist-ruled mainland China.

Han has said Taiwan should be more open to negotiations with China, in contrast to rival President Tsai Ing-wen, who has dismissed Beijing's overtures.

Leo Chang, a 22-year-old first-time voter, said he cares more about cross-strait issues.

Another voter, Mary Huang, meanwhile said education was a key issue for her in the election.

Voting began at 8 a.m. Saturday (0000 GMT) and wraps up at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT)

The vote count will begin soon after, with results expected later in the evening.