Taiwan voted on Saturday in local elections that are a key test of support for the island's pro-independence ruling party ahead of presidential polls in just over a year, with electors also voting in a contentious referendum on same-sex marriage. The results will be closely watched in China, which claims self-ruled and proudly democratic Taiwan as its own and which has ramped up pressure on President Tsai Ing-wen and her administration since taking office in 2016. In the run-up to the election, Tsai and her government have repeatedly said China is attempting to sway election results with its 'political bullying' and 'fake news,' accusations Beijing denies.
