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Hundreds marched in Taipei for Tibet

AP

Activists shut slogans during a rally in Taipei on 14 March 2009 against the Chinese rule in Tibet. The rally marks the 50th anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising that sent the Dalai Lama into exile.Reuters/Pichi Chuang/Taipei

Hundreds of protesters, carrying an enormous portrait of the Dalai Lama, marched through downtown Taipei on Saturday to demand an end to Chinese rule in Tibet — a reflection of the island’s tumultuous relationship with Beijing.

Many protesters — who chanted “Free Tibet!” and “China get out! Independence for Tibet!” — said they feared Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou’s China-friendly policy could lead the island to share Tibet’s fate. Both self-ruling Taiwan and the vast region of Tibet are claimed by China.

Since his inauguration last May, Ma has improved long-strained relations with China by resuming high-level talks and beginning regular direct transportation links between the two sides. He is also hoping to sign a partial free-trade agreement with China.

But many have warned Ma’s path will lead to unification, including the island’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party. Several key figures from the party attended the rally.

Demonstrators carried a giant portrait of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and waved Tibetan flags.

“I am supporting Tibet’s freedom out of a sense of justice as a human being,” said 31-year-old tech company engineer Weng Chih-ming, adding that he didn’t want Taiwan to fall “under China’s dictatorship.”

Elementary school teacher Fu Shu-li expressed a similar concern.

“I don’t want Taiwan to become like Tibet. ... I don’t want our next generation to live a hard life under China’s rule,” said Fu, 54.

Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing still maintains the island is part of its territory. China also says Tibet has always been a part of its territory, though Tibetans say the region was virtually independent for centuries.

The rally comes during a sensitive time: Saturday marks one year since anti-government protests in Tibet’s capital. Earlier this week saw the 50th anniversary of an uprising against Chinese rule that sent the Dalai Lama into exile.

Copyright © 2009 AP

Published in The International Herald Tribune