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TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese took to the streets, waving banners and shouting slogans for peace and democracy to protest a new Chinese law threatening the island.
Photo
AFP Photo
Demonstrators marched down 10 major streets in the capital, symbolizing the 10 clauses of China's anti-secession law, before congregating for a carnival-like 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.
Replicas of tanks and missiles were also displayed to ridicule Beijing's military deployment against the island.
"Love Peace, Oppose War," some demonstrators shouted, many dressed in colorful costumes and marching behind musical bands.
"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 march by his daughter, son-in-law, and a grandson. The high-profile group was flanked by some 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.
A DPP spokesman told AFP the party expected a minimum turnout of 800,000, but police put the crowd size at 240,000.
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, led one of the 10 protest groups.
"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 706 children wearing anti-war stickers to protest China's deployment of the same number of 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 has business interests in China's Guangdong province.
Chen decided to take part in the protest but agreed not to make any remarks to avoid fuelling anti-China sentiment.
No opposition politicians took part in the protest, which they said would not help ease cross-strait tensions.
"The key point is what is Taiwan heading after this protest? Will the government continue confronting Beijing, or try to seek reconciliation," said Chang Jung-kung, spokesman of the main opposition Kuomintang.
China was silent on the size of the demonstration, with official media preferring to focus on the nuisance caused by the "political carnival".
"The procession caused a serious congestion of the main roads in Taipei starting from 14:00 (0600 GMT), provoking complaints by the local population," the Xinhua news agency said, quoting a pro-Beijing Taiwanese.
At the rally, Chen shouted on the stage "Support Democracy, Love Peace, Protect Taiwan" and sang songs with the crowds after colorful balloons were released by Vice President Annette Lu.
A huge ball in the shape of a sea urchin was deflated to symbolize destruction of Chinese missiles as laser beams shot the word "Peace, Democracy" on the presidential building to climax the protest.
About 30,000 police were mobilized to guard the event, which ended peacefully.
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.
Although Taiwan has been ruled as a de facto independent state since 1949, China considers the island part of its territory that must at some stage be brought back under its control, by force if necessary.
Taiwan authorities have slammed the law as tantamount to issuing the Chinese military a blank check to invade the island, leaving people in constant fear of war.
Cross-strait ties have worsened since Chen won the presidency in 2000, breaking a 51-year grip on power held by the nationalist Kuomintang. He was re-elected in 2004.
In Hong Kong, about 100 people marched through the streets in support of the Taiwanese protestors.
Source: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...taiwanchinalaw
Photo
AFP Photo
Demonstrators marched down 10 major streets in the capital, symbolizing the 10 clauses of China's anti-secession law, before congregating for a carnival-like 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.
Replicas of tanks and missiles were also displayed to ridicule Beijing's military deployment against the island.
"Love Peace, Oppose War," some demonstrators shouted, many dressed in colorful costumes and marching behind musical bands.
"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 march by his daughter, son-in-law, and a grandson. The high-profile group was flanked by some 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.
A DPP spokesman told AFP the party expected a minimum turnout of 800,000, but police put the crowd size at 240,000.
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, led one of the 10 protest groups.
"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 706 children wearing anti-war stickers to protest China's deployment of the same number of 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 has business interests in China's Guangdong province.
Chen decided to take part in the protest but agreed not to make any remarks to avoid fuelling anti-China sentiment.
No opposition politicians took part in the protest, which they said would not help ease cross-strait tensions.
"The key point is what is Taiwan heading after this protest? Will the government continue confronting Beijing, or try to seek reconciliation," said Chang Jung-kung, spokesman of the main opposition Kuomintang.
China was silent on the size of the demonstration, with official media preferring to focus on the nuisance caused by the "political carnival".
"The procession caused a serious congestion of the main roads in Taipei starting from 14:00 (0600 GMT), provoking complaints by the local population," the Xinhua news agency said, quoting a pro-Beijing Taiwanese.
At the rally, Chen shouted on the stage "Support Democracy, Love Peace, Protect Taiwan" and sang songs with the crowds after colorful balloons were released by Vice President Annette Lu.
A huge ball in the shape of a sea urchin was deflated to symbolize destruction of Chinese missiles as laser beams shot the word "Peace, Democracy" on the presidential building to climax the protest.
About 30,000 police were mobilized to guard the event, which ended peacefully.
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.
Although Taiwan has been ruled as a de facto independent state since 1949, China considers the island part of its territory that must at some stage be brought back under its control, by force if necessary.
Taiwan authorities have slammed the law as tantamount to issuing the Chinese military a blank check to invade the island, leaving people in constant fear of war.
Cross-strait ties have worsened since Chen won the presidency in 2000, breaking a 51-year grip on power held by the nationalist Kuomintang. He was re-elected in 2004.
In Hong Kong, about 100 people marched through the streets in support of the Taiwanese protestors.
Source: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...taiwanchinalaw