Thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets Saturday for a major rally that is a rebuke to Beijing and a challenge to the island's already embattled government.

The protest in central Taipei came as China increasingly pushes its claim to the self-ruling democratic island and President Tsai Ing-wen struggles to appease Beijing and independence factions.

It was the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since Taiwan first became a democracy more than 20 years ago.

Organisers claimed a turnout of 80,000. A police estimate was not immediately available.

Demonstrators gathered outside the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters chanting slogans and waving flags reading "Independence Referendum".

"Want Referendum!" and "Oppose Annexation!" the crowd shouted.

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949.

Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland.

Beijing has warned it would respond with force if Taiwan tried an official split.

Organised by new group Formosa Alliance, which is backed by two pro-independence former Taiwan presidents, Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, the rally called for a public vote on whether the island should formally declare independence from China.

"Only through holding a referendum can Taiwanese people show to the international community our right to build an independent new country," said Tsai Wen-li, 63, a retired postal worker who wore a T-shirt reading "Taiwan is my country".

Engineer Rex Yang, 35, described Taiwan as an "orphan in the international community".

"Taiwanese people want Taiwan to become a normal country...that is why I stand out here today", he told AFP.

- Beijing pressure -

Even though the DPP is traditionally independence-leaning, President Tsai has said she wants to maintain the status quo with China.

But that has not prevented relations deteriorating since she took office in 2016, as she refuses to adhere to Beijing's line that Taiwan is part of "one China".

Beijing has made a multi-pronged attack to erase Taiwan from the international stage, including blocking it from global forums and poaching its dwindling number of official diplomatic allies.

China has also successfully pressured global firms to list Taiwan as part of China on their company websites.

At the same time, Tsai's measured approach has alienated some pro-independence DPP supporters.

A vote on independence would require an amendment to current laws, which bar referendums on changing the constitution or sovereign territory.

Formosa Alliance is urging the DPP government, which has a majority in parliament, to change the laws to allow such a vote.

Analysts agree Tsai would be unlikely to allow such an amendment which would be a red flag to Beijing.

Chinese authorities have already said Formosa Alliance should not go down what they called a "dangerous path".

The DPP publicly prohibited its officials and candidates from attending Saturday's rally, instead holding its own rally against China's "annexation" of Taiwan in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

The move was seen as a way for the party to distance itself from activists but to reflect the feelings of some of its more pro-independence members and supporters.

Taiwan says will continue to push for papal visit
Taipei (AFP) Oct 19, 2018 - Taiwan said Friday it would continue to push for a papal visit to the island after the Vatican turned down its most recent invitation.

Vice president Chen Chien-jen made the invitation during an audience with the pope Sunday as Taiwan seeks to deepen ties with its only ally in Europe after the Holy See signed a historic deal with Beijing.

The landmark agreement last month on the appointment of bishops paved the way for a rapprochement between the Vatican and China.

That raised questions over the future of official ties between Taiwan and the Holy See as China makes a concerted effort to poach its dwindling number of diplomatic allies.

The Vatican issued a brief statement Thursday saying a visit to Taiwan "by the Holy Father is not being planned".

Taiwan's foreign ministry said Friday it would not be deterred.

"Over the past years, we and the Bishop's Conference have extended invitations to the Pope to visit, to experience first hand Taiwan's religious freedom and progress in many diversified areas," it said in a statement to AFP.

"We will continue to extend invitations to the pope to visit Taiwan, and hope that the Vatican can accommodate such a visit," it added.

Devout Catholic Chen's audience with the pope came ahead of the canonisation of Pope Paul VI.

Taiwanese officials had said his visit would help deepen Taiwan-Vatican relations and that they believed the Vatican would not abandon Taiwan.

China sees self-ruling democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified and demands its allies forfeit recognition of the island.

Taiwan, which sees itself as a sovereign country and has around 300,000 Catholics, has lost five allies to Beijing in the past two years.

Relations have deteriorated since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016, as she does not recognise Taiwan is part of "one China", as Beijing insists.

Taiwan blames 'arrogant' China over Interpol snub
Taipei (AFP) Oct 19, 2018 - Taiwan said Friday that Interpol had rejected its request to attend next month's general assembly meeting in Dubai as an observer, blaming Chinese pressure in the latest snub from an international forum.

China sees self-governing democratic Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification and has used its clout to diminish the island's presence on the world stage since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May 2016.

The government confirmed Friday that it had received official notification from Interpol that its request to attend the meeting as an observer had been denied.

"Interpol's rejection of Taiwan is unreasonable but we know the important reason behind it is China's suppression of Taiwan," Taiwan's premier William Lai told reporters.

He described China's behaviour towards Taiwan as "arrogant and high handed."

Taiwan first requested to attend the meeting in 2016, when it was also denied. It did not apply in 2017 because the annual meeting was held in Beijing.

Taiwan's foreign ministry also expressed "strong regret and dissatisfaction" at Interpol's decision.

"Taiwan is justified in its desire to take part in Interpol and has the support from its allies and like-minded countries, including the United States," spokesman Andrew Lee added.

Taiwan's bids to attend international forums are regularly thwarted under pressure from Beijing.

The island has also been blocked from participating in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly meeting.

China's foreign ministry has said that the island was only able to attend the WHA from 2009-2016 because the previous Taiwan government had a consensus with Beijing that there is only "one China".

While the island's former administration touted the agreement as enabling cross-straits relations to flourish without compromising Taiwan's sovereignty, Beijing saw it as meaning Taiwan and the mainland are part of a single China.

President Tsai and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party have refused to acknowledge the principle, which Beijing sees as the bedrock for relations.

Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com

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Taiwan to hold independence rally in challenge to Beijing
Taipei (AFP) Oct 17, 2018
Taiwan independence campaigners will take to the streets Saturday for what they hope will be a major rally in a rebuke to Beijing and a challenge to the island's already embattled government. The protest in central Taipei comes as China increasingly pushes its claims to the self-ruling democratic island and President Tsai Ing-wen struggles to appease Beijing and independence factions. Organised by new group Formosa Alliance, which is backed by two pro-independence former Taiwan presidents, Lee T ... read more