Taiwan's president-elect vows to defend island from China threats

Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te vowed Saturday to defend the self-ruled island from "intimidation" from China, after voters defied warnings from Beijing and swept him to election victory. Lai -- branded by Beijing as a threat to peace in the flashpoint region -- secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after a raucous campaign in which he pitched himself as the defender of Taiwan's democratic way of life. In his victory speech Lai said he would maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but pledged to defend the island from Chinese belligerence.