Taiwan’s parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes

Thousands protested outside Taiwan’s parliament after reforms seen as reducing the president’s power were passed.

Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has ignored massive protests to push through controversial legislative changes seen as favourable to China.

The laws, adopted on Tuesday, pushed through by the opposition nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) and smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), give lawmakers the power to require the president to give regular reports to parliament and answer lawmakers’ questions. It also criminalises contempt of parliament by government officials.

Critics argued the legislation was vague and lacked the checks and balances necessary to prevent abuse.

The bill also hands the legislature increased control of budgets, including defence spending. The legislature will also be able to demand that the military, private companies or individuals disclose information deemed relevant by parliamentarians, but some fear could risk national security.

The opposition parties are seen as more friendly to Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve its goal of unification.