Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Thousands of Taiwanese protest China trade pact
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Thousands of Taiwanese protest China trade pact
By ANNIE HUANG,Associated Press Writer -
Saturday, June 26
Send
IM Story
Print
TAIPEI, Taiwan – Tens of thousands of opposition supporters chanted anti-communist slogans as they marched in Taiwan's capital Saturday to protest a planned trade agreement with rival China that they say will undermine the island's self-rule and harm its economy.
Many protesters held signs reading "It's a Shame to Embrace Communist China" and "Protect Taiwan, Protect Our Jobs" as they marched several miles (kilometers) along a main thoroughfare in Taipei to the presidential office building.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party is calling for a referendum on the pact, saying Taiwanese have a right to express their views before it takes effect.
Police said about 32,000 people participated in the protest, while organizers said there were more than 100,000.
The government says the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, to be signed Tuesday in the Chinese city of Chongqing, will give Taiwanese companies tariff benefits in China that are similar to those received by Southeast Asian countries under a separate trade pact with China.
The agreement is the jewel in the crown of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of seeking closer economic ties to ease tension across the Taiwan Strait, a flash point since the two sides split amid civil war in 1949.
But closer political and economic ties could also serve China's long-term goal of returning the self-ruled island to its control, the fundamental aim of its Taiwan policy.
"The trade pact would turn Taiwan into another Chinese territory like Hong Kong," said Chang Kuo-min, a rubber factory worker from central Changhua county. "Taiwanese have worked so hard to achieve the democracy we have today, and we will not allow China to control us."
Farmer Wu Hsien-che dismissed China's acceptance of tariff-free imports of some Taiwanese farm products as "sugarcoated poison."
Polls, however, show that more Taiwanese support the trade pact than oppose it.
Most of the protesters Saturday were elderly people from central and south Taiwan, the stronghold of the pro-independence DPP.
DPP Chairwomen Tsai Ing-wen said the pact would mainly benefit big businesses and make the poor poorer.
"China is incorporating our businesses into its industrial chain step by step and making our economy part of its own economy," Tsai told the protesters. "We take to the street today to safeguard the interests of the next generations."
The DPP says Taiwanese may gain short-term benefits from the tariff cuts, but that many local factories may be forced to shut down in a few years under an onslaught of cheap Chinese goods.
Premier Wu Dun-yih has said the deal will eventually create 260,000 jobs in Taiwan by attracting more Taiwanese and foreign investment on the island.
Under the trade pact, Taiwanese companies will receive tariff advantages on 539 products exported to China, while Chinese companies will receive advantages on 267 products in the Taiwan market.
Bilateral trade totals about $110 billion a year, with $50 billion in Taiwan's favor.
Since losing the presidency to Ma in 2008, the DPP has won six out of seven legislative by-elections and scored important gains in a series of local polls.
It hopes to use unhappiness over Ma's China policies _ particularly the trade pact _ to achieve big gains in mayoral elections later this year and ultimately win the 2012 presidential election.
On Saturday, Ma said the trade agreement will be submitted to Taiwan's legislature for approval next month. His ruling Nationalist Party holds a majority of the seats and the pact is expected to pass easily.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
G20 draft communique welcomes China currency move Reuters - 35 minutes ago
G20 says countries have option to pursue bank levy Reuters - 51 minutes ago
Ethiopia says peace deal agreed with rebel faction Reuters - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
China opposes yuan reference by G20 - sources Reuters - 1 hour 43 minutes ago
US-BUSINESS Summary Reuters - 1 hour 47 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Romania to raise VAT to 24% to curb deficit
Row grows between Vatican and Brussels over police raid
Obama urges final passage of Wall Street reform
Storm theatens Gulf of Mexico oil spill clean-up
US teen sailor arrives on French island
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
China Economychina economy
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
British PM warns against 'destruction' of BP
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Brazil, Portugal 0-0 at halftime
BP shares plunge near 14-year low on liabilities
Euro is a 'credible, solid' currency: Lagarde
More Most Viewed »
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 26 June 2010 Israel marks four years of 'cruel' Shalit captivity
Spain's Sabadell launches takeover for smaller rival
Apple tells iPhone 4 owners to get a grip
US military chief to reassure Afghans, allies after sacking
'Time to reduce the deficits': Merkel
U.S. pushes regulation to G20 forefront
|
YouTube videos, now featuring the vuvuzela
US-TECH Summary
Bodies found beheaded in southern Afghanistan
Accused Jamaican drug lord Coke pleads not guilty
|
Darby strengthens to major hurricane in Pacific
Le Monde votes for takeover by French trio
Brazil, Portugal 0-0 at halftime
G20 protesters win small victory versus sound cannon
|
Obama Administration Violates Campaign Promise On Transparency
Oksana Grigorieva Alleges Mel Gibson Was "Extremely Violent" With Her
ABC Family To Air "Deathly Hallows" Trailer, "Harry Potter" Weekend
SEC Halts $34 Million Florida Ponzi Scheme
Firefighters Have Northern Arizona Blaze 40 Percent Contained
First Quarter GDP Grows Less Than Expected
Salesforce sues Microsoft as legal feud escalates
California Couple Arrested For Trying To Sell Baby In Store Parking Lot
Pakistan to monitor websites for 'anti-Islam content'
USA-Algeria W.Cup match draws big online audience
Mexican Pop Singer Belinda Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted By Tour Promoter
Palin Returns Donations To Settle Ethics Complaint; Begins New Defense Fund
Australian bureaucrats find a friend in Facebook
Jamaican Drug Baron Extradited To U.S. To Face Drug, Gun Trafficking Charges
Pakistan to monitor Google, others for blasphemy
Taiwan's Lu makes history by reaching fourth round
Porn industry closer to .xxx web addresses
US military chief to reassure Afghans, allies after sacking
Ivory Coast bow out on winning note
Japanese Michael Jackson fans begin memorial sleepover
SKorea want to repay fans for sleepless nights
South Korea raps 'reckless' North on war anniversary
Indonesian jails becoming terror 'schools': police
Police arrest 'Red Shirts' over Bangkok bomb attempt
World Cup result
Salesforce sues Microsoft as legal feud escalates
|
Ivory Coast lead N.Korea 2-0 at halftime
ATM security flaws could be a jackpot for hackers
|
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
|
Fans scramble for Apple's iPhone upgrade
|
India deregulates petrol prices
Kylie Minogue to perform for Madrid's gay pride
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
S.Korean banks pick 65 firms for restructure or liquidation
Air China to buy 20 Boeing planes: statement
Emigre to U.S. documents extraordinary Russian lives
Today's Chinese workers wise up -- and rise up
Are Americans (finally) embracing the beautiful game?
Pakistan to monitor Google, others for blasphemy
Pakistan targets 535 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
Skeletons of French troops discovered in northern Spain
World Cup 'illnesses' hit South Africa's partying workers
Glastonbury Festival kicks-off in sweltering sunshine
Italian police seize 11 million fake Murano glass objects
Gorillaz promise "party atmosphere" at Glastonbury
Emigre to U.S. documents extraordinary Russian lives
|
Blast in Kabul as US military chief visits
Euro is a 'credible, solid' currency: Lagarde
British PM warns against 'destruction' of BP
Leaders play down austerity split on eve of G20
|
Huge Kabul blast as US military chief visits:witnesses
ATM hack promises teller machine jackpot
Microsoft in legal duel with cloud computing star Salesforce
Russia and Britain vow to relaunch strained ties
Afghan gov't: Blast rocks Kabul's diplomatic area
G20 protesters, riot police face off in Toronto
|
World Cup kicks Twitter "tweets" to record high
French minister under more pressure over L'Oreal heiress
ElBaradei leads big Egypt anti-torture protest
Oksana Grigorieva Alleges Mel Gibson Was "Extremely Violent" With Her
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Hurricanes Darby, Celia move away from Mexican coast
|
Mexican Pop Singer Belinda Claims She Was Sexually Assaulted By Tour Promoter
YouTube videos, now featuring the vuvuzela
G8 talks on economy not controversial: Merkel
Bodies found beheaded in Afghanistan; 4 troops die
Accused Jamaican drug lord Coke pleads not guilty
|
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
ATM security flaws could be a jackpot for hackers
Britain, Russia seek thaw after frosty relations
|
6.9-magnitude quake strikes off Solomon Islands: USGS
BBC America To Premiere Episodes Of "Doctor Who," "Being Human" At Comic-Con
US teenage sailor arrives on French island of Reunion
U.S. lawmakers want more answers on Afghan war plan
"Bachelor" Contestant Melissa Rycroft To Co-Host "Bachelor Pad"
Hewitt vows to give Djokovic a rough ride at Wimbledon
Fireworks Amnesty Programs OFfered By Some Governments
Apple Tells iPhone 4 Users To Hold Phone Differently
Japan's coalition may lose upper house majority: polls
Record rain drenches China as rivers threaten to burst
U.S. Markets Finish Mixed On GDP Data, Financial Reform
US drone strike kills 2 militants in Pakistan: officials
Malaysia drops new gambling plan amid protests
Lu, 1st Taiwanese man to make Wimbledon's 4th round
N.Korea to pick new leaders: media
News Corp. sells Beliefnet to BN Media
New Apple iPhone hard to find, but not impossible
|
Strong quake hits in Pacific near Solomon Islands
Salesforce sues Microsoft as legal feud escalates
|
ATM security flaws could be a jackpot for hackers
|
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
|
Pakistan to monitor Google, others for blasphemy
|
Fans scramble for Apple's iPhone upgrade
|
Suicide-hit Foxconn hands over staff dormitories
|
YouTube, now with instant vuvuzela sound
|
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
Sony's PlayStation near deal with Hulu: report
|
Michael Jackson's dad sues doctor over singer's death
Internet bosses set to approve .xxx for porn sites
|
Global tribute marks year since Michael Jackson's death
Eminem, clean and sober, draws on new inspiration
A.R. Rahman's U.S. tour cut short by stage accident
Herbie Hancock & friends throw rousing jazz shindig
Billboard CD reviews: Kylie Minogue, Dierks Bentley
Scientists Try To Hear "God Particle"
Global tribute marks year since Michael Jackson's death
|
Michael Jackson's dad sues doctor over singer's death
|
Teen love triangle at center of new Twilight
|
Lou Reed sings for Gorillaz at Glastonbury
|
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
|
A.R. Rahman's U.S. tour cut short by stage accident
|
Eminem, clean and sober, draws on new inspiration
|
Emigre to U.S. documents extraordinary Russian lives
|
Billboard CD reviews: Kylie Minogue, Dierks Bentley
|
A Minute With: Taylor Lautner from Twilight
|
Iran says Gaza aid delegation to go on Lebanon ship
US teen sailor arrives on French island
North Korea party to pick new leadership
|
Karzai speaks out vs. drug smuggling, profiteering
Thousands protest in Taiwan against China trade deal
|
Obama urges final passage of Wall Street reform
Karzai condemns corruption, drug smuggling
Death toll in flood-stricken south China nears 400
|
NATO: US troop dies, Taliban commander killed
India wants more Pakistanis tried for Mumbai raid
|
Fear ahead of Kyrgyz vote in wake of violence
|
Vettel quickest in final European GP practice
Yemen arrests 30 in al Qaeda hunt, 1 detainee dead
|
Storm theatens Gulf of Mexico oil spill clean-up
Army driver killed in accidental Afghan blast
|
Iran says Gaza aid delegation to go on Lebanon ship
|
Breakaway Somali region votes for president
|
Study indicates life was possible all over Mars
Newly rescued Chihuahua takes 'ugliest dog' title
Palin arrives at Calif. campus amid controversy
Tens of thousands rally in Taiwan against China pact
Ariz. gov: Most illegal immigrants smuggling drugs
Teen shot by Border Patrol had smuggling arrests
Thousands protest in Taiwan against China trade deal
Death toll in flood-stricken south China nears 400
Global Weather-Celsius
Philippine jailbirds stage Jackson memorial dance
Strong quake hits off Indonesia's Java
India rice exporters expect bumper harvest
N.Korean Jong says he dreams to play in England
Thousands of Taiwanese protest China trade pact
China bans military from blogging
Australian advertisers see light side to PM rout
Germany says Apple must improve data transparency
|
New Apple iPhone hard to find, but not impossible
|
Eminem honors mentor Dr. Dre at L.A. event
Global tribute marks year since Michael Jackson's death
|
Minogue and Muse aim to get Glastonbury back on track
|
Eminem honors mentor Dr. Dre at L.A. event
|
Michael Jackson's dad sues doctor over singer's death
|
Teen love triangle at center of new Twilight
|
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
|
A.R. Rahman's U.S. tour cut short by stage accident
|
Eminem, clean and sober, draws on new inspiration
|
Billboard CD reviews: Kylie Minogue, Dierks Bentley
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights