|
Taiwan ruling party to stage mass anti-China rally
2006-03-19
Supporters of Taiwan's independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are planning to take to the streets to protest rival China's military threats to the island. "We are calling for solidarity and cooperation for the March 18 rally to protest against China and let our voice be heard by the world," said DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun. "If we don't speak out, we can't protect our democratic way of living and our rights to free choice," he said. The DPP is expecting a turnout of 100,000 for the rally in Taipei which will march under the banner "Protect Democracy and Stand against Forceful Annexation". Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian, who again irked Beijing last month by scrapping an advisory council on reunification with the mainland, said he "definitely will not be absent" from the rally. Local media said over 6,000 policemen would be mobilized to protect the president. Vice President Annette Lu and Premier Su Tseng-chang are among the DPP officials expected to attend the event. Organizers will also distribute locally-made towels to participants to use as headbands to protest massive imports of cheaper China-made towels which local manufacturers say threatens their survival. Participants will congregate at a tobacco factory at 1430 pm local time (0630 GMT) for an one-hour march before gathering for a rally outside the presidential office. Tens of thousands of supporters of the main opposition Kuomintang party took to the streets last weekend to protest Chen's tough policy on China. Chen defied pressure from Beijing and Washington to close down the National Unification Council and scrap the accompanying guidelines on reunification, a step the opposition say heighten cross-strait tensions. The council was considered largely symbolic and had been dormant since Chen was elected president in 2000 but his decision infuriated Beijing, which accused the Taiwanese leader of pushing the region towards disaster. Even though China and Taiwan separated after the civil war ended in 1949, Beijing still considers the island part of its territory and has threatened to retake it by force if necessary if it moves towards independence. Chen has defended his decision, saying it was prompted by Beijing's persistent military threats and attempts to use non-peaceful means to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. China has stockpiled some 780 ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan.
Thousands demand Taiwan president's ouster (2006-06-03)Taiwan premier takes control of government (2006-06-01)Taiwan ruling party to stage mass anti-China rally (2006-03-19)Thousands of Taiwanese hold anti-China rally (2006-03-19)Taiwan premier to follow Chen's tough China tack (2006-01-25)
| 
