Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Groups accuse government of M503 route deal

Taipei Times

The Executive Yuan is surrounded by barricades yesterday as protesters rallied against China’s M503 flight route.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times

Several groups yesterday rallied outside the Executive Yuan in Taipei, accusing the government of conceding to Beijing on the controversial M503 flight route in exchange for easing regulations on Chinese air passengers making transit stops in Taiwan.

KMT’s constitutional shenanigans

Taipei Times Editorial

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) accusation that the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) proposal to amend the Constitution is motivated by political considerations has some value.

The DPP argues that the proposal is aimed more at limiting the power of the next administration in the eventuality of a DPP victory in January’s presidential election, rather than addressing the political impasse attributable to the current constitutional system — which allows the president to wield power but bear no responsibility.

Ma’s appeasement policy a worry

Taipei Times Editorial

China has said it will start using the controversial M503 air route, which it had designated unilaterally, today. Taiwan’s government has not only failed to put up any significant opposition, but even went as far as defending China’s actions — and this appeasement is only likely to put Taiwan in a more dangerous situation.

Members of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) on Friday staged a surprise protest over the government’s inaction on China’s decision to implement the air route. Political activist groups blocked the main entrance of the Legislative Yuan while TSU legislators took over the podium to protest the air route, urging the government to take action.

M503 protest ends in scuffles, fines

Taipei Times

Members of the Taiwan Solidarity Union’s (TSU) youth organization TSU Youth are detained after a protest at the presidential residence in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) members in the early hours of yesterday staged a protest outside the presidential residence ahead of China’s scheduled inauguration of the controversial M503 flight route today.

Protesters shouted: “Withdraw the M503 flight route” and “President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), step down.”

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