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

Protester wearing a headband reading 'against trade pact' during a protest on Sunday. Photograph: Wally Santana/AP

Sunday 30 March 2014 

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 Chinagathered 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 were raided 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.