Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature passed changes on Tuesday that are seen as favoring China and diminishing the power of the island's president, sparking protests by thousands of people.

Gravitas: Thousands protest new pro-China reforms in Taiwan

Taiwan's cabinet plans to reject and review divisive parliamentary reforms passed by the opposition, sparking protests and accusations of Chinese interference. Watch in for more details!

Taiwanese parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes

<p>Taiwan's&nbsp;pro-China opposition, which enjoys a one-seat majority in the&nbsp;country's&nbsp;legislature, on Tuesday (May 28) carried out&nbsp;"reforms"&nbsp;that may end up curtailing the&nbsp;powers of the president.&nbsp;The Nationalist Party, which&nbsp;officially backs reunification with China,&nbsp;wants to give the legislature a&nbsp;greater&nbsp;say in deciding the&nbsp;country's&nbsp;budget and security affairs.&nbsp;Notably, the party has blocked&nbsp;Taiwan's&nbsp;defence spending in the past to appease China.</p>

<h2><strong>Protests erupt</strong></h2>

<p>The&nbsp;'reforms'&nbsp;by the opposition&nbsp;meanwhile&nbsp;have irked the pro-democracy people of Taiwan, thousands of whom assembled outside the legislature to voice their anger.</p>

<p>Inside the parliament, heated arguments broke out between the leaders of the Nationalists (known as KMT) and the pro-Democracy Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).</p>

<p>The bill comes as Taiwan got its new president earlier this month in the form of Lai&nbsp;Ching-te</p>

<h2><strong>Details about the contentious bill</strong></h2>

<p>The bill&nbsp;is aimed&nbsp;at granting&nbsp;the legislature the power to question, demand, or investigate personal documents of any government official, military general, the general public and even the president.</p>

<p>The law would also give the parliament access to confidential documents.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China-Taiwan tensions: Is China preparing to invade Taiwan?</strong></p>

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<p>It is backed by KMT&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;People’s&nbsp;Party, another major opposition party.</p>

<p>Austin Wang, a US-based political scientist specialising in Taiwanese politics, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera,&nbsp;“In the bill, the legislators can ask the military to hand in sensitive information, which is problematic since some legislators have been accused of leaking information to China. There is no check-and-balance under this investigation any more.”</p>

<h2><strong>Silver lining</strong></h2>

<p>The approval by the legislature&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;mean&nbsp;that the&nbsp;amendment will become law. The executive branch of the government, The Executive Yuan, may veto it or refer it to the president. The&nbsp;president's&nbsp;approval is required within&nbsp;10&nbsp;days for a bill to become law.&nbsp;In case both of them&nbsp;fail to comply, the bill&nbsp;won't&nbsp;materialise.</p>

<h2><strong>'KMT undermining democracy'</strong></h2>

<p>The DPP has accused the KMT of trying to undermine democracy in the island nation.</p>

<p>The party denounced the bills as&nbsp;“black box”.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwie9-iM2bCGAxVN-DgGHZsCBgoQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-china-drills-taiwan-president-again-offers-talks-725475" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-china-drills-taiwan-president-again-offers-talks-725475&amp;ved=2ahUKEwie9-iM2bCGAxVN-DgGHZsCBgoQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">After China drills, Taiwan president again offers talks</a></strong></p>

<p>The Nationalists governed Taiwan for more than four decades under martial law but have lost three consecutive presidential elections to the DPP.</p>

<p>However, they still wield power through well-entwined networks of business and social interests on the local level.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Taiwan's pro-China opposition, which enjoys a one-seat majority in the country's legislature, on Tuesday (May 28) carried out "reforms" that may end up curtailing the powers of the president.

Taiwan's pro-China opposition, which enjoys a one-seat majority in the country's legislature, on Tuesday (May 28) carried out "reforms" that may end up curtailing the powers of the president. The Nationalist Party, which officially backs reunification with China, wants to give the legislature a greater say in deciding the country's budget and security affairs. Notably, the party has blocked Taiwan's defence spending in the past to appease China. Protests erupt The 'reforms' by the opposition meanwhile have irked the pro-democracy people of Taiwan, thousands of whom assembled outside the legislature to voice their anger. Inside the parliament, heated arguments broke out between the leaders of the Nationalists (known as KMT) and the pro-Democracy Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The bill comes as Taiwan got its new president earlier this month in the form of Lai Ching-te Details about the contentious bill The bill is aimed at granting the legislature the power to question, demand, or investigate personal documents of any government official, military general, the general public and even the president. The law would also give the parliament access to confidential documents. Watch: China-Taiwan tensions: Is China preparing to invade Taiwan? × It is backed by KMT as well as Taiwan People’s Party, another major opposition party. Austin Wang, a US-based political scientist specialising in Taiwanese politics, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera, “In the bill, the legislators can ask the military to hand in sensitive information, which is problematic since some legislators have been accused of leaking information to China. There is no check-and-balance under this investigation any more.” Silver lining The approval by the legislature doesn't mean that the amendment will become law. The executive branch of the government, The Executive Yuan, may veto it or refer it to the president. The president's approval is required within 10 days for a bill to become law. In case both of them fail to comply, the bill won't materialise. 'KMT undermining democracy' The DPP has accused the KMT of trying to undermine democracy in the island nation. The party denounced the bills as “black box”. Also read: After China drills, Taiwan president again offers talks The Nationalists governed Taiwan for more than four decades under martial law but have lost three consecutive presidential elections to the DPP. However, they still wield power through well-entwined networks of business and social interests on the local level. (With inputs from agencies)

Protests erupt as opposition-controlled Taiwan parliament pushes pro-China ‘reforms’

<p>Lawmakers in the Taiwanese parliament were seen shoving, tackling, and hitting each other on Friday (May 17) amid a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber. Amid the chaotic scenes that unfolded, one lawmaker, in a bid to stop the passage of a bill took an entirely different approach as he snatched it and ran away.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Watch: Major brawl breaks out in Taiwanese parliament</strong></h2>

<p>Days before the recently elected Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te from the ruling party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates Taiwan’s distinct identity and rejects China's territorial claims, is set to take office, a major brawl broke out in the parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even before the lawmakers were to vote on a controversial reform bill, some started screaming and shoving each other outside the chamber.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the chaotic scenes unfolded, Taiwanese lawmakers surged around the speaker’s seat while others were seen leaping over tables and pulling colleagues to the floor. Several lawmakers had to reportedly be hospitalised after the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Content warning: The visuals may be disturbing to some users.&nbsp;Viewer discretion is advised. WION is not responsible for the content of the video.</strong></em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BRAWL-AMENT! Taiwan's parliament descends into chaos as lawmakers throw punches. At least one has been hospitalized.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiw%C3%A1n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwán</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/parliament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#parliament</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/politics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#politics</a> <a href="https://t.co/4CPPh8GQQO">pic.twitter.com/4CPPh8GQQO</a></p>
— Truthreality (@RealityCheck191) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealityCheck191/status/1791750771522089183?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Legislators fight in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taiwan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taiwan</a>'s parliament (Legislative Yuan)<br />
<br />
A member of Taiwan's parliament stole a bill to prevent it from being passed.<br />
<br />
At least one deputy had to be taken to hospital with a head injury following the debate.<br />
<br />
The reason why the legislators are fighting is… <a href="https://t.co/wVL18qtzkC">pic.twitter.com/wVL18qtzkC</a></p>
— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics &amp; Defense (@IndoPac_Info) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndoPac_Info/status/1791742372281454867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the middle of the chaos, one lawmaker tried to remove the bill itself from the chamber in order to stop its passage.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A video which has since gone viral on social media shows a Taiwanese lawmaker snatching the bill and dodging multiple people, before successfully exiting the parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The MP, according to Taiwanese media reports, was later identified as DPP lawmaker Kuo Kuo-wen.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A member of Taiwan's parliament stole a bill and ran off with it to prevent it from being passed <a href="https://t.co/M2DtDtSP4t">pic.twitter.com/M2DtDtSP4t</a></p>
— Source for Viral Vids (@source4viral) <a href="https://twitter.com/source4viral/status/1791754161492545677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Lawmakers from all three parties were involved in the altercations and traded accusations about who was to blame.</p>

<h2><strong>What caused this violence and chaos?</strong></h2>

<p>While Lai won the election in January and will be inaugurated on Monday (May 20), his party, DPP lost its majority in parliament. Currently, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), has more seats than the DPP but not enough to have a majority on its own.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, the KMT has been working with the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) to promote their mutual ideas.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scuffle-breaks-out-inside-taiwans-parliament-722710">Scuffle breaks out inside Taiwan's parliament</a></strong></p>

<p>The source of contention is a bill which would grant the parliament greater scrutiny powers over the government, including a controversial proposal to criminalise officials who are deemed to make false statements in the chamber, according to Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The DPP has accused the two parties of improperly trying to force through the proposals without the customary consultation process in what the ruling party has called “an unconstitutional abuse of power”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Why are we opposed? We want to be able to have discussions, not for there to be only one voice in the country,” DPP lawmaker Wang Mei-hui told Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Protests outside the parliament</strong></h2>

<p>A report by Focus Taiwan reported that some 100 people gathered outside the parliament amid the brawl that broke out inside the chamber.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a clip posted on X, demonstrators can be heard chanting “Team Taiwan!” in protest of the bill which would also reportedly give the China-friendly camp – KMT and TPP – more power.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NOW: Hundreds of protestors outside Taiwan’s parliament shouting “Team Taiwan!” in protest against a planned bill that would give the more China-friendly camp (KMT, TPP), which has a parliamentary majority, more power.<br />
<br />
Three days before DPP president-elect Lai’s inauguration. <a href="https://t.co/PKOUECPv2d">pic.twitter.com/PKOUECPv2d</a></p>
— Cornelius Dieckmann (@CoDieckmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoDieckmann/status/1791501266079908009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Lawmakers in the Taiwanese parliament were seen shoving, tackling, and hitting each other on Friday (May 17) amid a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber. Amid the chaotic scenes that unfolded, one lawmaker, in a bid to stop the passage of a bill took an entirely different approach as he snatched it and ran away.

Lawmakers in the Taiwanese parliament were seen shoving, tackling, and hitting each other on Friday (May 17) amid a bitter dispute about reforms to the chamber. Amid the chaotic scenes that unfolded, one lawmaker, in a bid to stop the passage of a bill took an entirely different approach as he snatched it and ran away. Watch: Major brawl breaks out in Taiwanese parliament Days before the recently elected Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te from the ruling party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates Taiwan’s distinct identity and rejects China's territorial claims, is set to take office, a major brawl broke out in the parliament. Even before the lawmakers were to vote on a controversial reform bill, some started screaming and shoving each other outside the chamber. As the chaotic scenes unfolded, Taiwanese lawmakers surged around the speaker’s seat while others were seen leaping over tables and pulling colleagues to the floor. Several lawmakers had to reportedly be hospitalised after the incident. Content warning: The visuals may be disturbing to some users. Viewer discretion is advised. WION is not responsible for the content of the video. BRAWL-AMENT! Taiwan's parliament descends into chaos as lawmakers throw punches. At least one has been hospitalized.#Taiwán #parliament #politics pic.twitter.com/4CPPh8GQQO — Truthreality (@RealityCheck191) May 18, 2024 × Legislators fight in #Taiwan's parliament (Legislative Yuan) A member of Taiwan's parliament stole a bill to prevent it from being passed. At least one deputy had to be taken to hospital with a head injury following the debate. The reason why the legislators are fighting is… pic.twitter.com/wVL18qtzkC — Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) May 18, 2024 × In the middle of the chaos, one lawmaker tried to remove the bill itself from the chamber in order to stop its passage. A video which has since gone viral on social media shows a Taiwanese lawmaker snatching the bill and dodging multiple people, before successfully exiting the parliament. The MP, according to Taiwanese media reports, was later identified as DPP lawmaker Kuo Kuo-wen. A member of Taiwan's parliament stole a bill and ran off with it to prevent it from being passed pic.twitter.com/M2DtDtSP4t — Source for Viral Vids (@source4viral) May 18, 2024 × Lawmakers from all three parties were involved in the altercations and traded accusations about who was to blame. What caused this violence and chaos? While Lai won the election in January and will be inaugurated on Monday (May 20), his party, DPP lost its majority in parliament. Currently, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), has more seats than the DPP but not enough to have a majority on its own. Therefore, the KMT has been working with the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) to promote their mutual ideas. Also Watch | Scuffle breaks out inside Taiwan's parliament The source of contention is a bill which would grant the parliament greater scrutiny powers over the government, including a controversial proposal to criminalise officials who are deemed to make false statements in the chamber, according to Reuters. The DPP has accused the two parties of improperly trying to force through the proposals without the customary consultation process in what the ruling party has called “an unconstitutional abuse of power”. “Why are we opposed? We want to be able to have discussions, not for there to be only one voice in the country,” DPP lawmaker Wang Mei-hui told Reuters. Protests outside the parliament A report by Focus Taiwan reported that some 100 people gathered outside the parliament amid the brawl that broke out inside the chamber. In a clip posted on X, demonstrators can be heard chanting “Team Taiwan!” in protest of the bill which would also reportedly give the China-friendly camp – KMT and TPP – more power. NOW: Hundreds of protestors outside Taiwan’s parliament shouting “Team Taiwan!” in protest against a planned bill that would give the more China-friendly camp (KMT, TPP), which has a parliamentary majority, more power. Three days before DPP president-elect Lai’s inauguration. pic.twitter.com/PKOUECPv2d — Cornelius Dieckmann (@CoDieckmann) May 17, 2024 × (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Amid clashes in parliament, Taiwanese lawmaker snatches bill, runs away to stop its passage

<p>Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly.</p>

<p>Legislators from main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party threw pig guts and exchanged punches with other lawmakers as they tried to stop the premier taking questions, in a bitter dispute over easing US pork imports.</p>

<p>President Tsai Ing-wen announced in August that the government would, from January 1, allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and China, as well as US beef more than 30 months old.</p>

<p>While welcomed in Washington, and removing a roadblock to a long sought after US free trade deal for Taiwan, the KMT has strongly opposed the decision, tapping into public concern about food safety after several high-profile scandals in recent years.</p>

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<p>Since the latest session of parliament began in mid-September, the KMT has protested against the pork decision by blocking Premier Su Tseng-chang from delivering regular reports and taking questions by occupying the podium where he speaks.</p>

<p>According to Reuters, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided they were going to ensure Su could speak on Friday, and formed a protective barrier around him as he made his way in, as KMT lawmakers blew whistles, held banners and sounded air horns.</p>

<p>As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a short but vicious encounter between a group of KMT legislators and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party.</p>

<p><img alt="An ugly scene at Taiwan's parliament" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58ef7251-1af5-4857-bee5-fa48fcd44305" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/An%20ugly%20scene%20at%20Taiwan%27s%20parliamentf.jpg" /></p>

<p>Su soon withdrew, but later got back up to try and take questions, his words drowned out by KMT lawmakers.</p>

<p>The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that "stank up" the parliament floor and was "disgusting", calling for a return to rational debate.</p>

<p>The KMT says the pork decision has been rushed through and is a health threat, charges the DPP denies.</p>


Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly.

Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in parliament. But the scene at a parliament debate in Taiwan on Friday turned particularly ugly. Legislators from main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party threw pig guts and exchanged punches with other lawmakers as they tried to stop the premier taking questions, in a bitter dispute over easing US pork imports. President Tsai Ing-wen announced in August that the government would, from January 1, allow imports of US pork containing ractopamine, an additive that enhances leanness but is banned in the European Union and China, as well as US beef more than 30 months old. While welcomed in Washington, and removing a roadblock to a long sought after US free trade deal for Taiwan, the KMT has strongly opposed the decision, tapping into public concern about food safety after several high-profile scandals in recent years. × Since the latest session of parliament began in mid-September, the KMT has protested against the pork decision by blocking Premier Su Tseng-chang from delivering regular reports and taking questions by occupying the podium where he speaks. According to Reuters, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided they were going to ensure Su could speak on Friday, and formed a protective barrier around him as he made his way in, as KMT lawmakers blew whistles, held banners and sounded air horns. As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a short but vicious encounter between a group of KMT legislators and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party. Su soon withdrew, but later got back up to try and take questions, his words drowned out by KMT lawmakers. The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that "stank up" the parliament floor and was "disgusting", calling for a return to rational debate. The KMT says the pork decision has been rushed through and is a health threat, charges the DPP denies.

Taiwan parliament debate on US pork turns ugly, fists and pig guts fly

<p>Taiwan's parliament passed a proposal Wednesday to rebrand the island's largest airline to avoid confusion with carriers on the Chinese mainland.</p>

<p>China Airlines (CAL) is frequently mistaken for Air China -- the mainland's national carrier -- and there have long been calls to rename it or make it more clearly Taiwanese.</p>

<p>But the movement received fresh impetus during the coronavirus pandemic, which Taiwan has successfully tackled.</p>

<p>The self-ruled island has sent medical aid overseas as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill, often aboard China Airlines aircraft, sparking some confusion abroad over where the shipments had come from.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, lawmakers approved a proposal asking the transport ministry to come up with both short- and long-term rebranding plans for the carrier, which is partly government-owned.</p>

<p>"The ministry should make CAL more identifiable internationally with Taiwanese images to protect Taiwan's national interests as overseas it is mistaken for a Chinese airline," parliament speaker Yu Shyi-kun said while reading out the proposal.</p>

<p>The motion did not set a timeline for when the airline should be eventually renamed, saying it would require further discussion.</p>

<p>Some critics warn renaming the airline might provoke China -- especially if specific references to Taiwan are added.</p>

<p>Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.</p>

<p>It baulks at any suggestion the island is not part of "one China".</p>

<p>The name China Airlines is a throwback to the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War, when the defeated Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists fled to Taiwan.</p>

<p>Their Republic of China -- Taiwan's official name -- set itself up as a rival to the People's Republic of China.</p>

<p>During the authoritarian KMT era many Taiwanese companies often had the words "China" or "Chinese" placed in their names.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taiwan has since morphed into one of Asia's most progressive democracies and a distinct Taiwanese identity has emerged.</p>


Taiwan's parliament passed a proposal Wednesday to rebrand the island's largest airline to avoid confusion with carriers on the Chinese mainland. China Airlines (CAL) is frequently mistaken for Air China -- the mainland's national carrier -- and there have long been calls to rename it or make it more clearly Taiwanese.

Taiwan's parliament passed a proposal Wednesday to rebrand the island's largest airline to avoid confusion with carriers on the Chinese mainland. China Airlines (CAL) is frequently mistaken for Air China -- the mainland's national carrier -- and there have long been calls to rename it or make it more clearly Taiwanese. But the movement received fresh impetus during the coronavirus pandemic, which Taiwan has successfully tackled. The self-ruled island has sent medical aid overseas as a diplomatic gesture of goodwill, often aboard China Airlines aircraft, sparking some confusion abroad over where the shipments had come from. On Wednesday, lawmakers approved a proposal asking the transport ministry to come up with both short- and long-term rebranding plans for the carrier, which is partly government-owned. "The ministry should make CAL more identifiable internationally with Taiwanese images to protect Taiwan's national interests as overseas it is mistaken for a Chinese airline," parliament speaker Yu Shyi-kun said while reading out the proposal. The motion did not set a timeline for when the airline should be eventually renamed, saying it would require further discussion. Some critics warn renaming the airline might provoke China -- especially if specific references to Taiwan are added. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. It baulks at any suggestion the island is not part of "one China". The name China Airlines is a throwback to the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War, when the defeated Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists fled to Taiwan. Their Republic of China -- Taiwan's official name -- set itself up as a rival to the People's Republic of China. During the authoritarian KMT era many Taiwanese companies often had the words "China" or "Chinese" placed in their names. Taiwan has since morphed into one of Asia's most progressive democracies and a distinct Taiwanese identity has emerged.

Taiwan parliament passes proposal to rebrand China Airlines

<p>Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Taiwan parliament" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84216234-cee2-4903-a479-25d975269e9a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_137.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) scuffle with lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, who have been occupying the Legislature Yuan | Photo Credit: Reuters)</em></p>

<p>The opposition members said that the government was trying to force through legislation and demanded the president to withdraw the nomination of her close aide to a top-level watchdog.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lgbtq-pride-month-events-go-online-to-mark-50th-anniversary-taiwan-holds-march-309170">LGBTQ Pride Month events go online to mark 50th anniversary; Taiwan holds march</a></strong></p>

<p>The members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday morning removed the barricades and forced their way in.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-to-let-hong-kongers-in-on-humanitarian-grounds-beginning-july-1-the-same-day-hk-was-returned-to-china-308311">Taiwan to let Hong Kongers in on 'humanitarian' grounds beginning July 1 - the same day HK was returned to China</a></strong></p>

<p>There was a lot of scuffles and shouting between KMT and DPP lawmakers, however, KMT eventually withdrew the struggle, denouncing the violence used against them by the ruling party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>KMT, which favours close ties with China, said it was protesting against the government and President Tsai Ing-wen for forcing through bills.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They also opposed Tsai's nomination of her senior aide Chen Chu to head the Control Yuan, an independent government watchdog, describing the government "more tyrannical than before".</p>

<p>Protests and fights in Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, inside the parliament is quite common and in 2014 hundreds of students occupied parliament for weeks in protests, which were famously known as Sunflower Movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters)</em></p>


Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny". Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber.

Taiwan's parliament on Monday witnessed vandalism and fighting after the opposition members occupied it in protest of what it called government "tyranny". Over 20 lawmakers of main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, installing chains and chairs to block entry to the main chamber. (Lawmakers from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) scuffle with lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, who have been occupying the Legislature Yuan | Photo Credit: Reuters) The opposition members said that the government was trying to force through legislation and demanded the president to withdraw the nomination of her close aide to a top-level watchdog. Also read | LGBTQ Pride Month events go online to mark 50th anniversary; Taiwan holds march The members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Monday morning removed the barricades and forced their way in. Also read | Taiwan to let Hong Kongers in on 'humanitarian' grounds beginning July 1 - the same day HK was returned to China There was a lot of scuffles and shouting between KMT and DPP lawmakers, however, KMT eventually withdrew the struggle, denouncing the violence used against them by the ruling party. KMT, which favours close ties with China, said it was protesting against the government and President Tsai Ing-wen for forcing through bills. They also opposed Tsai's nomination of her senior aide Chen Chu to head the Control Yuan, an independent government watchdog, describing the government "more tyrannical than before". Protests and fights in Taiwan, which China considers its own territory, inside the parliament is quite common and in 2014 hundreds of students occupied parliament for weeks in protests, which were famously known as Sunflower Movement. (With inputs from Reuters)

Fighting, vandalism in Taiwan after Opposition occupies Parliament

<p>Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered despite heavy rain near Taipei's parliament as a mammoth legislative debate got underway over an issue that has bitterly divided the island.</p>

<p>Parliament is up against a ticking clock.</p>

<p>Taiwan's top court has ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution. Judges gave the government until May 24 this year to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But they gave no guidance on how to do that.</p>

<p>With that deadline fast approaching, three bills have been tabled for Friday's vote -- which also happens to be&nbsp;the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.</p>

<p>The most progressive is the government's bill, the only one to use the word "marriage" and to offer limited adoption rights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is backed -- begrudgingly&nbsp;-- by gay rights groups who see it as the closest thing to full equality with heterosexual couples, despite its limitations.</p>

<p>Opponents have tabled two other versions which avoid the word marriage, offering something closer to same-sex unions with no adoption rights.</p>

<p>Conservative and religious groups have been buoyed by a series of &nbsp;referendum wins in November, in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Families divided&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In a Facebook post President Tsai Ing-wen said she recognised the issue had divided "families, generations and even inside religious groups".&nbsp;</p>

<p>But she said the government's bill was the only one that respects both the court judgement and the referendum.</p>

<p>"Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society," she added in a tweet.</p>

<p>Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds the majority in parliament, occupying 68 out of 113 seats.</p>

<p>But there is no guarantee her own lawmakers will vote for the more progressive bill, especially as many fear being punished by conservative voters at the ballot box in January.</p>

<p>One of the rival bills was proposed by a DPP lawmaker.&nbsp;And a last-minute amended version of the government's bill has been tabled by fellow lawmakers in the party, dropping the phrase "same-sex marriage".</p>

<p>However, it still lets same-sex couples join an "exclusive permanent union" and apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies.</p>

<p><strong>LGBT community in limbo&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Taiwan's LGBT community has been left in limbo the last two years, with many couples planning weddings ahead of the May 24th deadline but unsure of what marriage equality will look like.</p>

<p>"The world is watching to see if Taiwan's parliament will write a new page in gender equality or deal another blow to Taiwan's hard-fought democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said Jennifer Lu, a spokeswoman for Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan.</p>

<p>"For the gay communities what matters the most is whether we can legally get married on May 24 and be listed as the spouse in ID cards, to be treated and respected as the 'spouse' in the whole legal system ... and whether same-sex families can obtain legal parental rights for their children."</p>

<p>Cindy Su was one of thousands of gay marriage supporters gathered outside parliament on Friday ahead of the debate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are just a group of people who want to live well on this land and who love each other," she told the crowd.</p>

<p>But opponents warn that "forcefully" passing a gay marriage law will intensify tensions.</p>

<p>"The cabinet's bill ignores the referendum results and that is unacceptable," said Lai Shyh-bao of the opposition Kuomintang party, who proposed one of the bills backed by conservatives.</p>


Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law.

Taiwan's parliament began debating Asia's first gay marriage law on Friday as conservative lawmakers launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper the most progressive bill in favour of a watered-down "civil union" law. Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered despite heavy rain near Taipei's parliament as a mammoth legislative debate got underway over an issue that has bitterly divided the island. Parliament is up against a ticking clock. Taiwan's top court has ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution. Judges gave the government until May 24 this year to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically. But they gave no guidance on how to do that. With that deadline fast approaching, three bills have been tabled for Friday's vote -- which also happens to be the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The most progressive is the government's bill, the only one to use the word "marriage" and to offer limited adoption rights. It is backed -- begrudgingly -- by gay rights groups who see it as the closest thing to full equality with heterosexual couples, despite its limitations. Opponents have tabled two other versions which avoid the word marriage, offering something closer to same-sex unions with no adoption rights. Conservative and religious groups have been buoyed by a series of referendum wins in November, in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. Families divided In a Facebook post President Tsai Ing-wen said she recognised the issue had divided "families, generations and even inside religious groups". But she said the government's bill was the only one that respects both the court judgement and the referendum. "Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society," she added in a tweet. Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds the majority in parliament, occupying 68 out of 113 seats. But there is no guarantee her own lawmakers will vote for the more progressive bill, especially as many fear being punished by conservative voters at the ballot box in January. One of the rival bills was proposed by a DPP lawmaker. And a last-minute amended version of the government's bill has been tabled by fellow lawmakers in the party, dropping the phrase "same-sex marriage". However, it still lets same-sex couples join an "exclusive permanent union" and apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies. LGBT community in limbo Taiwan's LGBT community has been left in limbo the last two years, with many couples planning weddings ahead of the May 24th deadline but unsure of what marriage equality will look like. "The world is watching to see if Taiwan's parliament will write a new page in gender equality or deal another blow to Taiwan's hard-fought democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said Jennifer Lu, a spokeswoman for Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan. "For the gay communities what matters the most is whether we can legally get married on May 24 and be listed as the spouse in ID cards, to be treated and respected as the 'spouse' in the whole legal system ... and whether same-sex families can obtain legal parental rights for their children." Cindy Su was one of thousands of gay marriage supporters gathered outside parliament on Friday ahead of the debate. "We are just a group of people who want to live well on this land and who love each other," she told the crowd. But opponents warn that "forcefully" passing a gay marriage law will intensify tensions. "The cabinet's bill ignores the referendum results and that is unacceptable," said Lai Shyh-bao of the opposition Kuomintang party, who proposed one of the bills backed by conservatives.

Taiwan parliament to vote on Asia's first gay marriage bill

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