Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election.
Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election.
"The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said.
Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard".
"Taiwan independence means war.
Persons:
Ben Blanchard, Lai Ching, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Lincoln
Organizations:
Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei
Locations:
Ben Blanchard TAIPEI, China, Taiwan, Beijing, United States