Taiwan's Vice President and presidential frontrunner, Lai Ching-te, vowed on Friday "unwavering" support for the cross-strait status quo, as the country faces increasing assertiveness from China which has long claimed the island as its territory.

Vice President Lai Ching-te, the candidate for Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said he believes the international community could see that the recent tensions are not "because of Taiwan, but because of China".

"My support for cross-strait status quo will be unwavering," he said Friday during a press meeting organised by Taiwan's Foreign Correspondents Club.

"I will uphold President Tsai's (commitments) which... has enabled the world to clearly see Taiwan for what it is -- a source of stability amid the growing global uncertainties."

"The opposition parties currently hope to seek peace through negotiations and exchanges but we have to beware that the precondition for the opposition parties is to accept the 'one-China' principle," Lai said.

"If we lose our sovereignty -- even if we have exchanges and collaboration -- I don't think that would be true peace," said the 63-year-old.

"We are willing to open the door for exchanges and cooperation with China under the condition of ensuring our sovereignty." Lai added that "of course China will use all kinds of tactics to interfere with this election".

"If they succeed in affecting the election results, Taiwan's democratic system would obviously be undermined," he said.

Access24 reports that China and self-ruled Taiwan share an uneasy relationship, in which Beijing has vowed to one day take the island by force if necessary, while Taiwan treads a diplomacy tightrope of not formally declaring independence.