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.

The votes could reshape the island democracy's parliament and the government's approach to its powerful neighbor.

Tensions are high in Taiwan as threats from China and anger over political deadlock take center stage in an election to recall opposition lawmakers