China rallies for opposition as recall looms

As Taiwan gears up for a recall vote that could reshape its parliament, opposition lawmakers being challenged at the ballot box are getting two unusual supporters: Chinese officials and state media outlets rallying to their cause.

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While President Lai Ching-te won the election last year, his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its legislative majority. The opposition has flexed its muscles since then to pass laws the government has opposed and impose budget cuts, complicating efforts to boost defence spending in particular.

The political drama has been happening against a backdrop of China ramping up its own military and diplomatic pressure campaign against ‘Taiwan to assert territorial claims Mr Lai and his government resolutely reject. Mr Lai has offered talks with Beijing many times, but been rebuffed.