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Anti-trade pact protesters clash with police in Taiwan

Source: Agencies | March 24, 2014, Monday | Online Edition

HUNDREDS of people occupied part of Taiwan's government headquarters on Sunday night in protest against a trade pact with China's mainland.

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou says the pact with Taiwan's main export market is essential for the island's prosperity.

However, the main opposition party says it could hurt small service companies.

Television footage showed protesters and police scuffling after several people forced their way into the building.

The reports said the demonstrators had barricaded doors and windows with tables and chairs, and that at least 13 people had been injured.

Opponents of the pact forced their way into the island's legislative body last Tuesday, and have taken to the surrounding streets every day since then.

Approval by the legislative body of the agreement on April 8 would open 80 of the mainland's service sectors to Taiwan and 64 Taiwanese sectors to the mainland.

"This is completely for the sake of Taiwan's economic future," said Ma, who since 2008 has signed a series of landmark trade and economic agreements with the mainland.

Ma and his ruling Kuomintang Party say Taiwan needs the pact not only to maintain the competitiveness of its exports but also as an entry ticket to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a broad trade deal among 12 economies, spearheaded by the United States.

Ma said he understood the passion of the mostly young protesters, as Taiwan "can only have a future if young people care about it and are brave enough to participate."

But he said their occupation was illegal and hampering the work of government.

"Are we not proud of Taiwan's democracy and rule of law?" Ma said. "If there is no rule of law, democracy cannot be protected."

Nation


 

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