MCLC: 100,000 protest in Taipei

[Denton, Kirk]

MCLC LIST
From: kirk (denton.2 at osu.edu)
Subject: 100,000 protest in Taipei
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Source: The Guardian (3/30/14):
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/30/100000-protesters-rally-taiwan
-trade-pact-china

More than 100,000 protesters rally in Taiwan against trade pact with China
Protesters say deal was rushed through and could leave Taiwan beholden to
China's Communist party leaders
By Reuters

More than 100,000 protesters took to the streets of Taiwan's capital on
Sunday as a two-week-long campaign against a trade pact with China
<http://www.theguardian.com/world/china>gathered steam, piling further
pressure on the island's leader.

The rally in Taipei – where many were dressed in black and some clutched
sunflowers to symbolise hope – was one of the largest in recent years in
Taiwan, an island that split from China over six decades ago after a civil
war.

Protesters say the deal to open 80 of China's service sectors to Taiwan
and 64 Taiwanese sectors to China was rushed through, and could leave
Taiwan increasingly beholden to China's Communist party leaders.

Some called for the resignation of Taiwan's China-friendly president Ma
Ying-jeou, whose popularity has plunged despite helping to improve ties
with China since taking office in 2008.

"We must safeguard our island's interests," said Chin Mei Ching, a
29-year-old mother who was pushing her one-year-old daughter in a buggy.
"We have to guard against China using the economy to control us."

A coalition of student and civil groups behind the demonstration said that
around 500,000 people had massed in streets near the presidential palace
and the parliament building that has been occupied by protesters for
nearly a fortnight.

Police put the figure at 116,000.

Police erected steel barricades to prevent protesters from reaching major
government buildings including the cabinet offices that wereraided by
students last Sunday, sparking scuffles and the use of water cannon by
police.

"We will not back down," said Lin Fei Fan, one of the student leaders
behind the occupation of Taiwan's legislature. "The large turnout today
shows there is a clear majority in Taiwan that demands President Ma
address our concerns in an acceptable manner."
Activists have plastered anti-Ma banners on the legislature walls, and
stacks of armchairs block the exits.

Ma has said the trade agreement is necessary for Taiwan's economic future,
but opponents say the deal could hurt small Taiwanese companies. Many also
worry the pact will allow Beijing to expand its influence over a fiercely
independent and proudly democratic territory that China sees as a renegade
province.