'Next move on Taiwan up to Beijing'

China should propose a new framework for engagement with Taiwan and explain what it has to offer the island, said Taiwan People's Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je.

Polls show Ko competing for second place with Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih.

The frontrunner is Lai Ching-te, who took over the reins of the Democratic Progressive Party this year from President Tsai Ing-wen, who cannot stand for a third term.

Ko said his bottom line for talks with is to maintain Taiwan's free and democratic system and way of life.

"If mainland China has a new offer, they should make a new proposal," he said when asked how he planned to restart talks frozen since the DPP took office in 2016.

Ko said Beijing's current offer to rule Taiwan under "one country, two systems," similar to that of Kong Kong, has no appeal for Taiwanese.

Beijing, he said, should define what "one China" means - whether it's political, or economic.

"We will not deny Taiwan is part of the Chinese culture circle. So I will tell Beijing we share the same history, language, religion and culture," Ko said, adding economic cooperation was also negotiable.

"But politically, at this moment, there's nothing we can do."