News 
Taipei: The weather broadcaster predicted thunderstorms in the afternoon. But this did not dismay hoards of Taiwanese from all corners of the country from participating in the procession in Taipei today. Following her briefing, Ms. Tsai, the Chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), led the rally along the main street in Taipei. Over 600,000 Taiwanese partook in the demonstration. The memory of the blood shed in the Taiwanese fight for freedom is ever-present. Taiwan has never been, and will never be, a part of China.
The day before yesterday, former President Lee Teng-hui issued a statement condemning the economic policy adhered to by the current Ma Administration and its aspiration for unification with China. "Lock Taiwan into China” is the present government’s dictum.
The protesters chanted, “No China, Protect Taiwan!” Four teams of demonstrators covered the major roads in Taipei. Ma Ying-jeou’s administration continues to maintain close ties with China, threatening the sense of dignity of the Taiwanese people, and causing widespread panic.
Communist China requested that His Holiness the Dalai Lama acknowledge Taiwan’s status as a part of China. The Taiwanese people, however, have appealed to His Holiness to disregard this fundamental threat to their identity. Taiwan and China are separate nations. As in the case of Tibet, never in history has Taiwan been a part of the People’s Republic of China.
Edited by Natalia Idźkowski, The Tibet Post International
