Thousands in Taiwan demand vote to declare formal independence

Thousands in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei have rallied in support of a referendum on declaring formal independence from Beijing.

The Saturday event in the US-backed, self-ruled island took place amid rising efforts by China towards officially claiming the territory as part of its mainland and as Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen struggles to appease Beijing and the island’s pro-independence parties.

The massive demonstration, organized by a newly-founded group dubbed Formosa Alliance, marked one of the largest rallies taking place in Taiwan so far this year and

The demonstrators converged on an area near the headquarters of President Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), where the group’s spokesman, Kenny Chung, described the large turnout as “very successful.”

Taiwan’s relations with China have grown tense since Tsai rose to power in 2016 amid Beijing’s suspicion that she intends to push for official independence from the mainland China, which considers the move as its redline.

China has heavily intensified its military and diplomatic efforts against Taiwan this year, carrying out numerous air and sea military drills around the island and persuading three of the few governments across the globe that still maintain ties with Taipei to reconsider their support.

Earlier this month, Beijing once again warned Washington against interfering in Taiwan-related issues, calling on the Trump administration to respect its policies concerning the island.

SS