Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te has registered his candidacy for next January's presidential election. He is running for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party to succeed President Tsai Ing-wen.

Lai and his vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim filed the necessary documents with the election commission in Taipei on Tuesday.

Lai told supporters and media crews that the world will be watching Taiwan's choice in the upcoming election.

He said the people of Taiwan have to make a choice: either trusting Taiwan and allowing it to continue to move forward on the road of democracy; or relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle and walking into the embrace of China.

Lai said he and his running mate represent the side that trusts Taiwan.

Taiwan's largest opposition party is challenging the DPP by calling for more exchanges with China. The Kuomintang party has chosen New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih as its candidate.

The party has agreed to form a joint ticket with the second largest opposition group, the Taiwan People's Party, which has fielded former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je. However, the two parties have yet to agree on who they will back as their unified presidential candidate.

The founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry, Terry Gou, has qualified to run as an independent.

Candidate registration will close on Friday.