Thousands Rally in Taiwan to Demand Referendum on Independence From China

Thousands of people gathered in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 20 to voice their concerns about Chinese interference and to demand a referendum on the issue of independence.

The rally took place outside the offices of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and was seen as a challenge to the government just over a month before local elections, planned for November 24.

Reports from the event’s organizers said some 80,000 attended, Channel News Asia reported, however, this number was not independently confirmed.

Taiwan has operated as an independent state since 1949, at the end of the civil war in China, however the island is claimed by China. China has threatened to take action if Taiwan tries to officially sever ties and declare independence. Credit: Randy Finch via Storyful