The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and pro-localization groups are planning an overnight vigil on Ketagalan Boulevard on Nov. 1 and a large-scale demonstration the following day to protest against what they called the government’s incompetence and its China-leaning policies.
Details of the vigil and the route of the rally will be finalized after a meeting by the DPP’s Central Standing Committee and the pro-localization groups, DPP officials said.
CROSS-STRAIT TRADE
The party is joining forces with civil groups to protest against the plans of the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to recognize Chinese diplomas and futher loosen regulations governing cross-strait trade and economic exchanges.
Given public concern over the Ma government’s China policy, the DPP “will stand on the frontline to clearly give voice to Taiwan’s mainstream opinion,” DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
According to a recent poll conducted by the DPP, as many as 63 percent of respondents agreed that people should take to the streets to protest against the melamine food scare and demand that Beijing apologize and compensate Taiwanese consumers.
Taiwan first discovered milk powder laced with the toxic chemical in 25 tonnes of milk powder imported from China in June. It later found that some Chinese non-dairy creamers and malt extract imported into Taiwan were also contaminated with melamine, resulting in a massive recall of products.
APOLOGY
Criticizing the government for failing to demand an apology and compensation from China over the food scare, the DPP officials said public complaints over government incompetence were intensifying.
They called on the public to take part in the two-day event to safeguard Taiwan’s sovereignty and to “say ‘no’ to China.”
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