The bill proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP) called for the establishment of links cut after the island and the Chinese mainland split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.

Amid chaotic scenes, broadcast live by cable TV stations, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators chanted slogans and unfurled banners to prevent opposition colleages from voting.

After debates failed to reach an agreement on the legislation, DPP legislator Wang Shui-hui then snatched a written note calling for a direct vote on the bill from PFP deputy Feng Ting-kuo and shovelled it into her mouth.

The parliament's deputy speaker Chung Jung-chi decided later to shelve the bill. There were minor clashes but no injuries were reported.

Under Taipei's ban on direct links across the Taiwan Strait, all merchandise and passengers transit via third ports, mainly Hong Kong.

In a relaxation of the law in 2001, Taiwan allowed limited direct trade, post and transport links known as the "three mini links" between the islands of Kinmen and Matsu and selected ports in China's southeastern Fujian province.

Taiwan's two opposition parties have sought improved ties with Beijing, given the ever closer economic links across the strait.

Despite political tensions, China has become Taiwan's leading foreign investment destination, with an estimated 80 billion US dollars in mainland projects so far funded by the island's businesspeople.

It is also Taiwan's largest market.

However, the DPP government is reluctant to the lift the decades-old ban due to Beijing's lingering hostility towards Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory even though the island has been ruled as a de facto independent state since 1949. It threatens to invade if Taipei declares formal independence.

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