Taiwanese rally against China
2005-03-26 11:28
Taipei - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese took to the streets on Saturday, waving banners and shouting slogans for peace and democracy to protest a new Chinese law threatening the island.
Demonstrators marched down 10 major streets in the capital, symbolizing the 10 clauses of China's anti-secession law, before congregating for a rally in the presidential square outside Chen's office.
Wearing green headbands saying "Democracy, Peace, Protect Taiwan", marchers sang songs and waved placards condemning the law, which gives China's military the legal backing to invade should Taiwan move towards formal independence.
"Say Yes to Taiwan, No to China" said one group of banners at the protest, one of the largest ever seen in Taipei.
Chen was accompanied on the protest by his daughter, a son-in-law and a grandson. The high-profile group was flanked by about 500 police officers.
The Taiwanese president and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had urged one million people to take to the streets to peacefully express their anger and rejection of the new Chinese law.
"The hostile legislation puts Taiwanese children's future in danger of war. I want our children to be safe, I want peace for Taiwan and I don't want missiles," said Shih Ting-ching beside her five-year-old daughter.
The girl was one of the 706 children who had anti-war stickers put on their hips to protest China's deployment of the same number of ballistic missiles targeting the island.
"I oppose to Chinese aggression. Taiwan must not become a second Hong Kong. We are entitled to the freedom and human rights we have been enjoying," said a Taiwanese man who had business interest in China's Guangdong province.
800 000 expected
A DPP spokesperson told AFP on Saturday that the party expected a minimum turnout of 800 000, but police put an early estimate for the crowd size at 200 000.
Chen, who accuses China of jeopardising cross-strait peace and stability by adopting the law, said Thursday he was participating in the protest to "shout aloud to the other side that we want democracy, we want peace and we are against war."
But to avoid fuelling anti-China sentiment, he said he would not deliver a speech at the rally.
Premier Frank Hsieh and many other high-ranking government officials were also among the protestors. Former president Lee Teng-hui, now a staunch advocate of independence, was leading one of the 10 protest groups.
Demonstrators would release pigeons and colorful balloons later Saturday in a peaceful expression of Taiwan's democracy and the people's desire for peace, organisers said.
About 30 000 police were mobilised to guard the event, local newspapers said.
The controversial anti-secession law, passed by the Chinese parliament last week, authorises the use of military force against Taiwan if the island moves toward formal independence.
- AFP