Taiwan's elections are just weeks away, with little clarity about how a likely win by a party that traditionally favors independence from China will be viewed in Beijing, which has threatened force to ensure the island never goes it alone.
Taiwan will choose a new president and parliament in January, when the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), also known as the Nationalist Party, is expected to be soundly beaten by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), supported by youthful voters angered by a perceived economic dependence on the mainland.
The person most likely to be Taiwan's first female president, DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen, 59, has offered no specific policy on China other than broad comments indicating she is willing to engage the Communist rulers in Beijing.