Sunday, 20 May 2012

Taipei: Taiwan, tens of thousands of people have rallied in central Taipei on Saturday to protest the latest government policies, which include a strategy to strengthen ties with China.Opposition parties called for massive demonstrations on Saturday, one day before President Ma Ying-jeou is inaugurated for his second term.Ma is under attack on his  recent  policies including the "double hikes" of fuel and electricity prices, amid a slowing economy and rising inflation.

His government's plan to allow import of US beef treated with the growth drug ractopamine also backfired, triggering several protests by local farmers.


The main opposition Democratic Progressive Party says some 100,000 people took part in the rally.Protestors criticized Ma's administration for ignoring public opinion and raising gasoline prices and electricity rates. They also protested moves to ease restrictions on US beef imports, because they say the cattle are fed growth hormones.Ma's rival in the January presidential election, Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, also took part in the rally. She condemned Ma's policy to improve ties with China, and claimed that it would threaten Taiwan's sovereignty.

Ma will likely face a tough road ahead demonstrations are scheduled for his inauguration on Sunday.

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