President Tsai Ing-wen and other officials have warned that China might try to sway voters towards candidates seeking closer ties with Beijing in the Jan 13 presidential and parliamentary vote, which could define Taiwan’s relations with its neighbour.

The US is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.

Sandra Oudkirk, director of the American Institute in Taiwan and de facto US ambassador, said in a speech at National Taiwan University that the US has deep confidence in Taiwan’s electoral processes and democratic system.

“We believe it is for the Taiwan voters to decide their next leader, free from outside interference,” she said.

“And as I have said many times before, the US is not taking sides in Taiwan’s election, we do not have a preferred candidate and we know very well that we do not have a vote,” Oudkirk added.

“We support Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and look forward to working with whichever leaders Taiwan voters elect in 2024.”

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s William Lai, currently vice-president, is the frontrunner to become Taiwan’s next leader, according to opinion polls.

China detests Lai, believing him to be a separatist, and has rebuffed several of his offers for talks.

Lai’s main opponent is Hou Yu Ih from Taiwan’s largest opposition party the Kuomintang, which traditionally favours close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing and says it will also maintain the close US relationship.

China has over the past four years stepped up its military pressure against Taiwan, including staging two rounds of major war games near the island in the past year and a half.