Protesters in Taiwan's capital scuffled with police Thursday June 3 and threw chairs at an official building where discussions were under way on a proposal for a referendum on a planned trade pact with China.
The dozens of demonstrators attempted to push their way into the building where the proposal by a radical pro-independence party called Taiwan Solidarity Union was being reviewed by a commission authorized by the government.
The administration of President Ma Ying-jeou has been pushing for the pact, known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, saying it will boost growth and employment.Opponents say stronger competition from China will cost Taiwan jobs and the accord will make the island more dependent on the mainland. (Source: AFP, Jun 3, 2010)