Taipei –
Taiwan’s parliament passed a package of controversial bills on Tuesday to expand its power, as thousands of disapproving protesters gathered outside chanting “defend democracy.”
Supporters say expanded parliamentary powers are needed to curb corruption, but critics fear the laws could weaken the self-governing island’s democracy against the influence of China, which claims it as part of its territory.
New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates the island’s sovereignty but lost its majority in parliament in January elections.
