Candidates for next month's presidential election in Taiwan have presented their policies on TV. The first such occasion has highlighted the differences in their approach to China.

The three candidates are Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Kuomintang candidate New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the second-largest opposition Taiwan People's Party.

The Central Election Commission holds three televised policy presentations for presidential candidates ahead of an election. The first was staged Wednesday evening.

In his presentation, Hou criticized the current government, saying war keeps closing in, while peace keeps receding. He said he will lower the risk of clashes by engaging in communication and exchange seamlessly across the Taiwan Strait to enhance goodwill from both sides.

Lai, meanwhile, pledged to demonstrate deterrence by reinforcing defense capabilities, the economy and cooperation with the democratic bloc. He says he will avoid war by preparing for war.

He criticized the two opposition candidates for accepting what Beijing calls the one-China principle, under which it claims Taiwan is part of its territory.

Ko said with the prerequisite of maintaining the democratic and free political system and lifestyle, he aims to engage in dialogue with the mainland on an equal footing and with dignity.

At the same time, he stressed the need to have adequate defense capabilities, saying Taiwan's security should not be completely reliant on the goodwill of others. He pledged to raise Taiwan's defense budget to 3 percent of GDP.

Recent polls suggest that Lai's lead over Hou has narrowed. Both have a support rate of over 30 percent.

Ko has been hovering around 20 percent, but more voters in their 20s and 30s support him.

One of the most contentious issues is how to deal with China, which is intensifying its pressure on Taiwan. But voters are also focused on policies closely related to their everyday lives, such as the economy.

Winning over unaffiliated voters as well as younger voters could hold the key to the upcoming election.