The chairman of Taiwan's state-controlled China Steel Corporation, Lin Wen-yuan, has been forced to resign following a row over stock bonuses, in an indication that the island's state enterprises are falling victim to political strife.

"I have decided to resign and will not agree to stay under any circumstances," Mr Lin told reporters Saturday night after opposition and ruling party legislators had fiercely criticised him for receiving T$44m (US$1.3m) in stock bonuses. He added he would donate the bonus to charity.