TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan opposition lawmakers survived a major recall election on Saturday, thwarting a bid to oust one-fifth of the island's parliamentarians - a move supporters had hoped would send a message to China but that opponents said was an assault on democracy.

Taiwan says China has no right to intervene in the recall vote on lawmakers whom activists see as cozying up to Beijing. China views Taiwan as its own territory.Taiwan will hold the largest recall vote in its history this weekend.

Taiwan's government says the island's largest-ever recall vote is facing "unprecedented" election interference by China.