TAIPEI, Mar 30 (AFP) : Tens of thousands of Taiwanese protesters took to the streets in Taipei on Sunday in a bid to pressure embattled President Ma Ying-jeou to retract a controversial trade pact with China.
The protesters, many wearing black shirts and headbands reading "defend democracy, retract service trade pact," crowded the streets leading to the presidential office, despite fresh concessions offered by Ma to further scrutinise agreements with China.
"What President Ma has offered may look like goodwill, but once you have a careful look you find he has not responded to our key demands," student leader Chen Wei-ting told the crowd, to thundering applause.
"We're here to show the resolve of the people," he said, as protesters chanted slogans and gave impromptu speeches to keep spirits high.
Security was tight as 3,500 police were deployed in the official presidential neighbourhood, which was barricaded by barbed wire.
The high security presence comes after violent clashes on March 23, when a group of protesters stormed the top government headquarters.
Taiwan stages mass anti-China trade pact rally
FE Team | Published: March 31, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like