Supporters of the governing Nationalist Party in Taiwan have continued celebrating their victory in yesterday's parliamentary and local elections.

The newly-elected members took to the streets with their supporters, who banged drums and gongs to thank the voters in the traditional Taiwanese way.

Final results show that the Nationalists won a-hundred-and-twenty-three seats in the two-hundred-and-twenty-five seat parliament, and also regained control of the capital, Taipei, from the opposition.

Correspondents say the Nationalists' success will be welcomed in China.

They say a strong showing by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which advocates independence for Taiwan, would have alarmed Beijing.

It regards Taiwan as a renegade province, and fiercely opposes any suggestion of independence for the island.