Taiwan's presidential candidates are set to make their final campaign appeals to voters on Friday ahead of the following day's election. Key issues in the quadrennial race include ties with China.

Lai Ching-te is the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's candidate, Hou Yu-ih is representing the biggest opposition Kuomintang party, and Ko Wen-je is running as the candidate of the second-largest opposition Taiwan People's Party.

The DPP's Lai, whom China has accused of being a pro-independence advocate, is believed to be leading the other contenders.

But most analysts predict that his party will see its showing reduced in the legislative election that will also take place on Saturday.

Lai says that even if he wins the presidential election, Taiwan will not be able to move forward if his party falls short of a majority of legislative seats.

The Kuomintang's Hou is striving to win his party's first presidency in eight years. He says war is approaching because of the DPP's policies.

Hou stresses that he will deter China by reinforcing defense capabilities while expanding dialogue and exchanges with Beijing to cut the risk of clashes.

The TPP's Ko pledges to raise defense expenditures to 3 percent of gross domestic product while promoting cultural and economic exchanges with China.

Votes critical of the DPP are believed to be split between the two opposition parties.

Hou is urging Ko's supporters and others to vote for him to realize a change of government. Ko, meanwhile, is calling on voters to bring down both the DPP and the Kuomintang.

On Friday, Lai and Hou are scheduled to address rallies in New Taipei City, which has the largest number of eligible voters of the six special municipalities. Ko will attend a rally in front of the presidential office building in Taipei.