State-owned news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that the results of local elections in Taiwan "revealed that mainstream public opinion in the island is for peace, stability and a good life," after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party performed badly, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The result of the local elections reflects the mainstream public opinion of "seeking peace, stability and living a good life" in Taiwan island: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council pic.twitter.com/wbUK9is5RW

— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) November 26, 2022

China will continue to work with Taiwan's people to promote peaceful relations and firmly oppose Taiwan's so-called independence and foreign interference, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement.

Earlier today, it was reported that Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen stepped down as head of her ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), after it suffered defeat in Saturday's local elections, while the Beijing-friendly main opposition, Kuomintang (KMT), claimed victory.

"The election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately," Tsai, who will remain Taiwan's President until 2024, told reporters at party headquarters as she quit, which she also did after the 2018's poor election results.

The main opposition Nationalist Party (KMT) won the elections with 13 of the 21 mayoral and county seats, including the capital Taipei, compared to the DPP’s five seats. 

The Kuomintang accused Tsai and the Democratic Progressive Party of being too hostile to China.

It focused its campaign on criticizing the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially after a spike in cases this year.

Kuomintang President Chu celebrated the victory on Saturday and told reporters, “We insist on defending the Republic of China and defending democracy and freedom."

Read more: Taiwan President quits as ruling party chief after local election loss