This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7184448.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Taiwan nationalists 'in big win ' Taiwan nationalists in huge win
(about 1 hour later)
The nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan appears set to win an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections, early reports suggest. Taiwan's nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) has won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections.
Taiwanese media say it may even get a two-thirds majority in the contest seen as a barometer for the presidential election on 22 March. The KMT, which wants closer ties with China, secured 72% of the seats in the 113-seat chamber, beating President Chen Shui-bian's party, the DPP.
KMT has at present a slim majority over President Chen Shui-bian's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The independence-leaning president said he was "apologetic and shamed", and announced he was resigning as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.
Mr Chen admitted defeat and said he would resign as chairman of the party. The elections are seen as a barometer for the presidential poll on 22 March.
The KMT wants closer ties with China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that should be reunified.
Under a new electoral system, voters elected half as many MPs as before. Referendums
With all the votes counted, the KMT secured 81 seats - or 72% - up from 49% it had in the previous legislature.
The DPP got 27 seats - or 24%.
Under a new electoral system, the number of seats in Taiwan's new parliament has been cut from 225 to 113.
The change was adopted in 2005 to reduce corruption and improve efficiency but observers say the new system may marginalise smaller parties in favour of the DPP and the KMT.The change was adopted in 2005 to reduce corruption and improve efficiency but observers say the new system may marginalise smaller parties in favour of the DPP and the KMT.
Two referendums were held alongside the legislative election.
KMT presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has called for changeKMT presidential hopeful Ma Ying-jeou has called for change
Two referendums were held alongside the legislative election.
The first asked voters to support legislation to force the KMT to return state assets the DPP says were illegally amassed during the 1950s, while the other, tabled by the KMT, called for action against corrupt officials.The first asked voters to support legislation to force the KMT to return state assets the DPP says were illegally amassed during the 1950s, while the other, tabled by the KMT, called for action against corrupt officials.
The two main parties are fighting for control of the newly scaled-down parliament, in which the number of seats has been cut from 225 to 113 in line with reforms.
A new voting system has also been introduced whereby voters cast ballots for both a party and a particular candidate in their constituency.A new voting system has also been introduced whereby voters cast ballots for both a party and a particular candidate in their constituency.
Seventy-three seats were contested by a total of 296 individual candidates representing 12 parties, while 34 seats are to be allocated on a party list system. A further six seats are reserved for ethnic minorities.Seventy-three seats were contested by a total of 296 individual candidates representing 12 parties, while 34 seats are to be allocated on a party list system. A further six seats are reserved for ethnic minorities.
Beijing quietBeijing quiet
BBC China analyst Shirong Chen says the two main parties' candidates for the presidential poll have concentrated on local issues and shied away from discussing China in the run-up to the vote, a tactic the Chinese government has also adopted. BBC China analyst Shirong Chen says the two main parties' candidates for the presidential poll concentrated on local issues and shied away from discussing China in the run-up to the vote, a tactic the Chinese government has also adopted.
Beijing has learned from its past misadventures during Taiwanese polls that verbal warnings and missile tests would backfire in favour of candidates from the pro-independence DPP, our correspondent says.Beijing has learned from its past misadventures during Taiwanese polls that verbal warnings and missile tests would backfire in favour of candidates from the pro-independence DPP, our correspondent says.
China has been focusing on getting countries like the US and France to oppose Taiwan's referendum on joining the UN, which will be held alongside the presidential election in March.China has been focusing on getting countries like the US and France to oppose Taiwan's referendum on joining the UN, which will be held alongside the presidential election in March.
China has also been persuading Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, prompting the Taiwanese foreign minister to make a futile trip to Malawi to consolidate bilateral ties.China has also been persuading Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, prompting the Taiwanese foreign minister to make a futile trip to Malawi to consolidate bilateral ties.
Our correspondent says Beijing will be anxious to see who wins Saturday's election, seen by many as a barometer of the public mood ahead of March's vote, when a new president will be chosen to rule the island for the next four years.Our correspondent says Beijing will be anxious to see who wins Saturday's election, seen by many as a barometer of the public mood ahead of March's vote, when a new president will be chosen to rule the island for the next four years.