How a vote targeting 'pro-China' lawmakers has split Taiwan

For most of his life, Deng Pu didn't see himself as an activist – but that changed last year. Furious at what he felt was undemocratic behaviour by Taiwan's lawmakers and overt Chinese influence in parliament, he joined thousands of others in a massive street protest. Two months ago, he signed up with a campaign group.

He has never done these things before. "Previous social movements were important, but to be honest they didn't make me this angry," the 39-year-old photographer told the BBC. "We are citizens... and we need to make sure our society sticks to its democratic systems and spirit."

Now, that anger is reaching a turning point. On Saturday Taiwan will hold a vote to decide whether to kick out more than two dozen lawmakers accused of being too close to China, in what has been called "dabamian", or the Great Recall.

Read more