Taiwan says China has no right to intervene in the recall vote on lawmakers whom activists see as cozying up to Beijing. China views Taiwan as its own territory.

The result is a blow to President Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party, which missed an opportunity to reshape the legislature and regain its majority.

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Voters in Taiwan were casting ballots on Saturday on whether to recall one-fifth of the island's parliament, all from the major opposition party, in a move supporters hope will send a message to China and opponents say is an assault on democracy.