Taipei: About 1,000 chanting
pro-independence activists took to the streets of Taipei
on Sunday, accusing Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou of surrendering
the island's sovereignty to China.
The rally, which comes four months ahead of the 2012
presidential election, was considered part of pro-independence
groups' efforts to help the leading anti-China opposition, the
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
"Dump Ma to safeguard Taiwan!" the crowd chanted while
marching through the capital.
Pro-independence groups have accused Ma of
compromising Taiwan's sovereignty in exchange for economic
benefits from Beijing, a claim which has been categorically
denied by Ma.
Taiwan's economy last year expanded 10.88 per cent, a
24-year high, fuelled by rapid growth in China, the island's
main trading partner, Ma has said.
Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved markedly
since Ma came to power on a platform of beefing up trade links
and allowing in more Chinese tourists.
But Beijing still regards Taiwan part of its territory
awaiting to be reunified -- by force if necessary -- even
though the island has ruled itself since 1949, at the end of a
civil war.
Ma, who is seeking a second and last four-year term,
will take on DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, the island's first
female presidential candidate, in January's vote.
Recent polls indicate that Ma and Tsai enjoy similar
levels of public support.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, September 04, 2011, 21:40