A chaotic sit-in to protest against a trade deal with China has shut down Taiwan’s parliament and exposed deep divisions over the island’s identity after seven decades of living apart from its vast, undemocratic rival across the strait.
The mainly student protesters, who proffer sunflowers as a symbol of hope, denounce the pact as an arrangement suiting Taiwan’s wealthy. They say it will lead to mass encroachment by China, and its one-party mindset, on the island’s cherished democratic values and institutions.
Its advocates, including Taiwan’s president and his government, say it is a vital step to normalizing relations with Beijing and will provide jobs and improve living standards.
Protesters demand the repeal of the trade deal, which was only one step away from parliamentary ratification before the sit-in began.
They also demand lawmakers pass an oversight mechanism of trade pacts with the mainland before they pass the current trade deal – a move the government has agreed to in principle and could potentially pave the way toward an end to the stalemate.
“The government has fallen into the palm of big money here in Taiwan,” said Miles Lin, 25, the main protest leader. “That, combined with pressure from Beijing, drove them to ram this pact through the legislature.”
via Taiwan anti-China protest exposes island’s nationalist divide | Reuters.
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