An unprecedented recall vote could hand President Lai Ching-te more power by ousting legislative opponents. It could also prompt a response from China.

Taiwan's government said the island's largest-ever recall vote has faced "unprecedented" election interference by China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own, over Taiwan's rejection.

Thousands of Taiwanese are heading to the polls in an unprecedented and controversial vote aimed at ousting lawmakers accused of being too close to China. More than 30 lawmakers have been targeted in the "dabamian", or Great Recall vote, initiated by a civic movement.