Taiwan opposition wants dialogue with ruling party on China
Written by Writer on Monday, November 10th, 2008
Taiwan opposition wants dialogue with ruling party on China
Monday, 10 November 2008
Taiwan’s main pro-independence opposition said yesterday it has called for dialogue with the ruling party following a landmark visit by a top Chinese envoy that sparked mass protests in the capital Taipei.
Angry anti-China demonstrations dogged Chen Yunlin, the highest Chinese official to visit the self-ruled island in nearly six decades, at every turn during his five-day visit — at one point leaving him blocked inside a hotel.
The protests ended in violent clashes between police and demonstrators — who are angry over what they see as the selling-out of Taiwan by China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou — that left more than 110 people injured.
Dozens of college students braved the rain yesterday to continue their sit-in, demanding an apology from Ma and the resignation of the city’s police chief over what they said was the official mishandling of the protests.
Chen’s controversial visit “has polarised the country, which is the last development we want to see,” said Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which spearheaded many of the protests.
“If this continues, it would be harmful to Taiwan’s democratic development,” she said in a statement released by the party.
“We hope Ma is aware that as the president, his obligation is to protect the country’s sovereignty and people.
“Therefore, we would like to sit down and discuss with the ruling party to work out a more healthy interaction mechanism that would prevent the existing differences from widening any further and leading to clashes,” she said.
During his visit, Chen struck four agreements with his Taiwanese counterpart Chiang Pin-kung on direct cargo shipping, postal links, and adding passenger flights, in a bid to bring the two former bitter rivals closer economically.
Taipei and Beijing insist the accords will bring enormous economic benefit to both sides, but protesters fear that money and jobs will flood out of Taiwan as businesses seek to take advantage of cheap labour and resources in China.
Cross-Strait ties have improved dramatically since Ma swept to power in a landslide election win in March, on a platform of easing transport and trade restrictions with the mainland and permitting more visits by Chinese tourists.
Macau Daily Times
