TAIWAN: Thousands take to the streets of Taipei to protest against Chinese threats against the self-ruled island

Record ID: 214343

  • Title: TAIWAN: Thousands take to the streets of Taipei to protest against Chinese threats against the self-ruled island
  • Date: 18th March 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE)(Taiwanese) SUPPORTER KAO HSIN-FU, TAXI DRIVER, SAYING: "I am here to protest against Chinese missiles. Taiwan must stand by itself and we must unite."
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA4FTBT1PY8H5CKAJ3HIKI3NMH7
  • Story Text: Thousands of supporters of Taiwan's pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian gathered for a "anti-annexation" rally on Saturday (March 18) to protest China's threat to use force against the self-ruled island.
    Organisers say the march is expected to draw a crowd of 100,000 people to mark the first anniversary of China's passage of the Anti-Secession Law that authorises war if Taiwan declares statehood, thereby violating Beijing's "one China" policy.
    China and Taiwan split at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949.
    With red balloons symbolising Chinese missiles and placards reading "For Peace, Against Chinese Missiles", Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said the rally would show the world the Taiwan's determination to defend their democratic way of life.
    Chen, Vice President Annette Lu and Premier Su Tseng-chang are expected to join the marchers, many of who arrived by bus from all over the island. Keen to shake off Beijing's claim of sovereignty over the island, the president scrapped a dormant but symbolic Taiwanese body called the National Unification Council, triggering condemnation by China.
    "I am here to protest against Chinese missiles. Taiwan must stand by itself and we must unite," said Kao Hsin-fu, a taxi driver.
    Chen likened Taiwan to a rabbit being bullied by a raging elephant, China, when he met a group of Taiwan businessmen on Friday (March 17).
    Taipei says Beijing has accumulated nearly 800 missiles targeting the island and was adding to its arsenal at a rate of between 75-100 a year.
    "We want to show our support for Taiwan's democratic achievements and our determination against a reunion with China. This is why we came for the rally", said Hung Ming-jen, a rally participant.
    But for Taiwan's 23 million people, the issue of reunification versus independence has always been tricky.
    Opinion polls consistently show more than 80 percent of Taiwan people prefer the status quo.
    Last week, tens of thousands of opposition supporters, who favour closer ties with China, marched through Taipei to denounce Chen, accusing him of fanning tensions with China.
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