"China Intensifies Rhetoric Against Taiwan's Presidential Frontrunner Amid Election Tensions"

China has labeled Taiwan's vice president and presidential frontrunner, Lai Ching-te, as "confrontational" and a "destroyer of peace" following his remarks on Taiwan's sovereignty during a presidential debate. The criticism comes amid heightened tensions and military pressure from Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the self-governed island. Lai, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is leading in opinion polls and advocates for the decision of Taiwan's future to be in the hands of its people, a stance that has led to China's rebuff of dialogue offers from the current DPP-led government. The elections are set for January 13, with the DPP and its main opposition, the Kuomintang (KMT), both asserting Taiwan's autonomy from China.