The agreement, to be signed tomorrow, includes major tariff reductions on respective products. For proponents, it will help the island’s economy; for opponents in Taiwan, it is part of Beijing’s strategy to retake what it considers a rebel province.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Thousands of people took to the streets of Taipei on Saturday protesting against the Economic Co-operation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with the mainland, which is scheduled for signature tomorrow.

The pro-Taiwan independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which organised the demonstration, said that more than 100,000 people took part in the event.

Protesters shouted "Oppose ECFA" and "Save Taiwan" as they walked in central Taipei and blew South African vuvuzelas. Security was tight and more than 2,000 police officers were deployed during the rally. Police said around 32,000 people took part in the protests.

The measures are expected to increase trade between the two countries and help their respective economies. About 40 per cent of Taiwan’s exports go the mainland.

Opposition to the agreement can count on former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui who told demonstrators, “The ECFA will benefit big corporations rather than the public, labour or small businesses. . . . It is wrong and will hurt Taiwan.”

Given its economic and political importance, opposition parties want the agreement to be voted on in a national referendum. It still has to be ratified by the Taiwanese parliament.

Current Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who was elected in 2008, has worked hard to strengthen ties with Beijing, moving away from his predecessor’s pro-independence stance, in what he believes to be in the interests of the nation and the economy.

Conversely, his adversaries believe that the rapprochement with the mainland will lead to the gradual but inevitable takeover of the island by the mainland until reunification is effectively achieved. For the mainland, Taiwan remains a breakaway province and is unwilling to contemplate its independence under any form.

Many in Taiwan’s business community are also suspicious of Beijing’s generosity. In fact, the Taiwanese get more out of the deal than mainlanders do.

Opponents warn that the island might be swamped with cheap mainland products, negatively affecting local production and employment levels.

• china
• taiwan
• trade
• deal
• tariff
• exemptions
• reductions
• independence