Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party, Lai Qing De of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and Hou Yu-ih of the Guomindang faced off on tough issues in the country's only live televised presidential debate.

The hopefuls covered a range of topics but the standout issue was their approach to China, which claims Taiwan and has been ramping up military activity around the country in recent months.

The candidates drew lots for who would speak first with the DPP's Lai starting off the debate.

[Spekaing in Chinese] My door is open to all kinds of talks with China across the Strait, and I'm determined to advance mutual interests across the Taiwan Strait.

I am determined to maintain the peaceful status quo.

Next up was KMT candidate Ho, who argued that improving relations with China starts with finding common ground.

[Spekaing in Chinese] We should first have dialogue between religious or cultural groups. Step by step.

And then have official exchanges and communication.

By building mutual trust, we can lower the risk of escalation.

And TPP candidate Ko said that as president, he would bolster Taiwan's defenses without provoking war.

[Speaking in Chinese] In recent years, Taiwan has garnered global attention due to geopolitical reasons.

Therefore, I advocate being prepared for war without fearing it, being capable of fighting but not seeking conflict.

We still need ot ensure that the people of Taiwan can engage with mainland China within a democratic, free political system and way of life.

Candidates were also asked by the media for their stances on the 1992 consensus,

a disputed three-decade-old agreement in which the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party agreed that there is one China, which includes Taiwan.

But each interprets their own government to be the legitimate ruler.

For the KMT, that's the Republic of China, and for the CCP, that's the People's Republic of China.

Now the KMT's presidential pick says that his focus is on defending the R.O.C.

[Speaking in Chinese] Whatever I do, I just want to protect the people of Taiwan, so they can lead good lives.

So, I will never change my position of defending the R.O.C.

This is my very clear statement. I oppose one country, two systems.

Meanwhile, Lai of the DPP, whose party rejects the 1992 consensus said that China has used it to isolate Taiwan on the world stage.

[Speaking in Chinese] Chinea's three-stage theory in the international arena is very clear.

Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China.

The only governmnet that represents China is the governmnet of the People's Republic of China.

But think about it, if we are to regard the Republic of China as the guardian angel of cross-strait relations today, would this promote peace or bring disaster to Taiwan?

The TPP's Ko countered accusations that he supported the 1992 consensus, but said that an officially independent Taiwan would only be asking for war and slammed live for his position on the issue.

[Speaking in Chinese] You said that the R.O.C. brings danger to Taiwan. Then what are you doing running for president of the R.O.C.?

You should run for president of the "Republic of Taiwan.

Although all three candidates proposed different approaches to dealing with China, a long standing problem more critical than ever, it's now up to voters to decide which path forward is best for Taiwan.

Justin Wu, Reece Ayers, Yujing Huang amd Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus.