Taipei | Taiwan’s ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) has secured a historic third term in power after voters backed William Lai Ching-te as the island nation’s new president, rejecting warnings from Beijing that his appointment will trigger a conflict with China.

The 64-year-old former doctor won 40 per cent of the vote after the emergence of a third new political party split the opposition vote, allowing his party to become the first in Taiwan to win three consecutive presidential elections.