Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties staged major rallies on Saturday. They are trying to gather support ahead of the local elections on November 26. The contests are being viewed as a precursor to the 2024 presidential race.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party is led by President Tsai Ing-wen. It held a rally near the presidential office in Taipei.

Tsai said the upcoming local elections are going to be watched closely by the whole world. The elections will be the first in Taiwan since the wrap-up last month of the Chinese Communist Party's five-yearly National Congress.

Tsai said that people in Taiwan should send out the right message to the world on November 26.

The president said that Taiwan needs to protect democracy and gain international support.

Kuomintang, or KMT, is the largest opposition party. It held a rally in New Taipei City, which has the most voters. KMT candidates running for mayor in six major cities were present.

Party leader Eric Chu said that Taiwan will be better off, if those six cities prosper.

Chu backs the "One China" principle advocated by Beijing. He has been trying to prevent cross-strait relations from becoming a contentious election issue.

Chu stressed that the KMT loves Taiwan more than any other political party does. He added that the party's most important mission is to protect democracy and freedom.