Thousands gather outside Taiwan's legislature to oppose changes that would give it greater power

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Thousands of people gathered outside Taiwan’s legislature on Tuesday to oppose changes being pushed through by the opposition Nationalist Party and its allies that would give the body greater power.

The Nationalists, also known as the KMT, took control of the legislature with a single-seat majority after elections in January, while the presidency went to Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, which favors Taiwan’s de facto independence from China.

The Nationalists officially back unification with China, from which Taiwan separated during a civil war in 1949. The proposed legislative changes would give them more power to control budgets, including defense spending that the KMT has blocked in what many see as a concession to China.

Taiwan's legislative chamber was festooned with banners promoting both sides in the dispute, while arguments on the floor broke out into shouting and pushing matches.