Taiwan opposition protest Taipei-Beijing trade pact

Jun 26, 2010, 15:25 GMT

Taipei - Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Taipei Saturday to protest Taiwan's plan to sign a trade pact with China, as President Ma Ying-jeou insisted the deal was vital for Taiwan's survival.

The protest, organized by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), called for a referendum on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), to be signed in Chongqing, China, Tuesday.

The DPP warned that ECFA will lead to the one-China market, allow China to tighten its grip on the island, and pave the way for China to recover Taiwan.

The protest drew supporters of an independent Taiwan, including ex-president Lee Teng-hui, ex-vice president Annette Lu and three former premiers.

'The ECFA benefits only business groups and China-based Taiwan business, but harms the ordinary people in Taiwan. Taiwan people must stand up and fight till the end to block ECFA,' he said.

But President Ma assured Taiwanese that the ECFA will boost Taiwan's exports, which are the backbone of Taiwan's economy, and bring foreign investment to the island.

Improved Taipei-Beijing trade ties can also reduce tension, Ma hinted.

'Sixty years ago, the Korean War broke out. Nowadays, the Korean Peninsula is covered by war clouds again. On the other hand, improved cross-Strait ties is like a road of peace. It will bring many possibilities to Taiwan's development, especially in the area of the economy,' he said.

Taiwan and China have been split since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, but ties have warmed up quickly since Ma, from the China-friendly Chinese Nationalist Party, took office in 2008.

Since 2008, Taipei and Beijing have signed some 20 pacts on expanding trade ties, including opening air and sea links and allowing Chinese tour groups to visit Taiwan.

The ECFA will be however the most important trade pact Taiwan signs with China to date.