When it comes to parliamentary ding-dongs, the MPs of Taiwan are kings of the ring. It seems that not a month goes by without their politicians resorting to fisticuffs and yesterday's battle is, arguably, the biggest of the bunch.

Two MPs were admitted to hospital as emotions ran high over a debate on how quickly to ratify a trade pact with China. The controversial deal is a key election battleground, but vocal debate doesn't seem to be enough for the punch-happy politicians.

Parliament had only been open for a matter of minutes before anti-Chinese MPs and Nationalist MPs came to blows, hurling trash cans at each other, splashing one another with water (the brutes!) and even exchanging kicks.

An MP from each side, one of whom fell from the podium, went to hospital after the fight. The parliament speaker called a recess until Friday. Apparently brawls are sometimes staged in Taiwan so politicians appear strong on TV. The giant grin spotted on one scrapper would support such a theory.

Keep reading to see the rumble.

Yesterday's dust-up ...