The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) today asked participants in today's protest against Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (
The TSU and other pro-independence groups will demonstrate at CKS International Airport, where Lien will leave for China today.
TSU Secretary-General Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) said the party said it had learned that gangsters and Chinese spies might infiltrate the protest to try to stir up violence. In order to avoid riots, the party urged protesters to remain peaceful and reasonable.
PHOTO: SONG CHIH-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"If our information is true, it echoes rumors about China's fifth column," Chen said. "China's spies have come to Taiwan."
Chen called on people who are going to join the protest not to bring eggs or other items that could lead to serious conflict. The TSU asked participants to put green paper on their windshields so that police can spot them easily and direct them to the parking lot next to the airport's second terminal, which is the gathering place for the protesters.
Chen said about 50 tour buses full of protesters will join today's demonstration. With a counter-protest also planned by the New Party, he called on the government to help keep the situation under control.
Meanwhile, the TSU's spiritual leader, former president Lee Teng-hui (
"A party often claims that it is a party that always support reforms -- you know which party I'm talking about," Lee said. "However, judging from the current situation, that party has already tilted toward China."
Lee also blamed the government for its low-key attitude toward the trips by Lien and other opposition leaders to China, saying he was disappointed that the government has kept silent about unjust matters.
In contrast to the TSU and other pro-independence groups, DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (
"We do not support the protests. We don't encourage our members to throw eggs or cause conflict on this occasion. We hope that people stay peaceful and reasonable," Lee Yi-yang said.
As for Lien's trip to China, Lee Yi-yang called on Lien to represent the "reality" of Taiwan during his travels.
"About 90 percent of Taiwanese people voiced their opposition to Beijing's `Anti-Secession' Law, and since Lien has said that he values `reality,' he has to represent this reality to China," Lee Yi-yang said. "The reality in the Taiwan Strait is that Taiwan and China are not under the same jurisdiction and the Republic of China [ROC] is an independent nation."
"The so-called `peace agreement' or `cessation of war between the KMT and CCP' that Lien referred to this morning all involve the government's authority and a change to the country's future," Lee Yi-yang said. "Lien should clearly know that he is not empowered to make any verbal commitments or written agreements [with China]."
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