The News Lens
Date: May 18, 2016
By: J. Michael Cole
Pro-unification groups gathered outside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters
Photo Credit: J. Michael Cole
in Taipei on Wednesday afternoon to pressure president-elect Tsai Ing-wen, who will be inaugurated on May 20, to recognize the “1992 consensus,” which authorities in Beijing have touted as a non-negotiable precondition for continued stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Led by Chang An-le (張安樂), chairman of the China Unification Promotion Party (中華統一促進黨), about 500 protesters, part of the “518 Action Coalition,” called on Tsai to adhere to the “1992 consensus” to ensure “cross-strait peace.” A large number of participants were visibly associated with criminal organizations; several dozen police blocked the entrance to the building. Police estimates of a crowd of 1,000 seem inflated.
In a statement, the “518 Action Coalition” said that without the “1992 consensus” as the basis for cross-strait peace, Taiwan would face destitution and economic stagnation. Lost on the organizers is the fact that despite Tsai’s predecessor’s adhesion to the so-called consensus, Taiwan’s economy has also continued to stagnate.
Also known as White Wolf, Chang is a former leader of the Bamboo Union triad and once was on Taiwan’s most-wanted list. After spending 16 years in exile in China, he returned to Taiwan in June 2013 and immediately embarked on a campaign to promote unification with China under the “one country, two systems” formula. His party fielded candidates in the January 16 elections but fared poorly, not securing a single seat. [FULL STORY]
