Taiwan police use water cannon to retake government HQ

[Demon of Light]

Taiwan riot police unleashed water cannon Monday to dislodge hundreds of demonstrators who had stormed government headquarters in violent scenes that dramatically escalated a days-old protest against a trade pact with China.

After nearly a week-long occupation of Taiwan's parliament, the protesters late Sunday also infiltrated the Executive Yuan where the cabinet is located, pulling down barbed-wire barricades outside and using ladders to break into offices on the second floor.

The assault came after President Ma Ying-jeou refused to back down on the trade pact, which he argues is vital for Taiwan's economic future, rejecting opposition claims that he is effectively handing the island over to Chinese control after six decades of political separation.

Source: AFP

Of course, if these kids knew any better, they would avoid such provocations. The greater the risk they pose to the functioning of the government, the greater the chances of violence and thus the greater the chance of giving China an "in" to finally retake the island. At that point all their protesting against measured increases in Chinese influence will just seem rather foolish.

 

[RabidAlpaca]

Source: AFP

Of course, if these kids knew any better, they would avoid such provocations. The greater the risk they pose to the functioning of the government, the greater the chances of violence and thus the greater the chance of giving China an "in" to finally retake the island. At that point all their protesting against measured increases in Chinese influence will just seem rather foolish.

So I guess they should just sit down, shut up, and let their politicians hand their country over to their Chinese overlords with no fight and no fuss?

What kind of a coward opinion is that?

 

[DDD]

I think this may have to do with the latest Russian hegemony. I think allies are being tested here.

 

[DVSentinel]

I think this may have to do with the latest Russian hegemony. I think allies are being tested here.

Maybe it made people around the world wake up and see all the socialist intrusion into those allies.

For once I agree that we should follow others examples. Lets start marching and protesting in Washington to rid ourselves of a Traitorous Socialist that lives currently in the White House.

 

[DDD]

Maybe it made people around the world wake up and see all the socialist intrusion into those allies.

For once I agree that we should follow others examples. Lets start marching and protesting in Washington to rid ourselves of a Traitorous Socialist that lives currently in the White House.

I just meant that Putin took Crimea because it was mostly made of Russian people. Taiwan is also mostly made of Chinese and since nothing much happened to Putin when he did Crimea, perhaps China might want to step into Taiwan also.

 

[Demon of Light]

So I guess they should just sit down, shut up, and let their politicians hand their country over to their Chinese overlords with no fight and no fuss?

What kind of a coward opinion is that?

I believe government offices should not be seized to prevent democratically-elected officials from passing legislation that is supported by the majority of the public because a mob finds it unfavorable. Conceding to rule by the street leads to anarchy and, at worse, civil war. Free trade with mainland China and continued friendly relations with Beijing is ultimately to Taiwan's benefit, not its detriment. Resisting integration with the mainland economy by force is not only going to fail, it risks Taiwan's de-facto independence. Unlike Ukraine, no country actually recognizes Taiwan as independent and China is far more vital to the global economy than Russia (not that Russia is not vital in its own way). Under international law China would have every right to re-establish control over its sovereign territory if things became violent within that territory and militarily they can crush Taiwan before any Western power has the chance to react. When you get down to it, Taiwan's best option is to make nice with China and hope that Beijing some time down the line softens its position on independence or at least agrees to a level of autonomy that effectively retains the status quo.

Unfortunately, I am concerned these activists are not going to take the rational and diplomatic path on the matter and that rising separatism around the world is going to leave independence advocates emboldened. Should the U.S. do anything particularly aggressive in opposing Russia's movies, they may even get the fool idea that we will do the same with China. A worst-case scenario is that these protests start escalating to where they seek to overthrow the government and this could introduce some particularly hot-headed independence-seeking leaders. Right now most political leaders in Taiwan are calm and rational enough to recognize the folly of seeking a formal break from the mainland, but should a revolutionary fervor take hold then there is no telling how the situation could develop.

 

[The Mark]

I just meant that Putin took Crimea because it was mostly made of Russian people. Taiwan is also mostly made of Chinese and since nothing much happened to Putin when he did Crimea, perhaps China might want to step into Taiwan also.

To my understanding the US has supported Taiwan against China for quite awhile now.

If they push and we don't block, I think that would be a bad thing.

 

[DDD]

To my understanding the US has supported Taiwan against China for quite awhile now.

If they push and we don't block, I think that would be a bad thing.

Yes that is why I stated that the allies may be tested with this.

 

[US Conservative]

I think this may have to do with the latest Russian hegemony. I think allies are being tested here.

You may very well be right.

 

[US Conservative]

To my understanding the US has supported Taiwan against China for quite awhile now.

If they push and we don't block, I think that would be a bad thing.

The world has already read Obama like an book.