Students occupied Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to protest the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, launching the largest civil disobedience movement since democratization.
Occupation Begins
Hundreds of students stormed the legislature:
“We are defending Taiwan’s democracy against the government’s authoritarian decision-making process.”
Movement Demands
Students articulated clear objectives:
- CSSTA withdrawal or revision
- Oversight mechanism for China agreements
- Constitutional reform for transparency
- Public participation in policy-making
Government Response
Ma administration faced unprecedented challenge:
- Police restraint maintained throughout
- Negotiations with student representatives
- Public opinion monitoring intensified
- International attention managed
Social Impact
The movement transformed Taiwan politics:
- Youth political engagement surge
- China integration skepticism increased
- Democratic participation renewed
- Civil society mobilization demonstrated
The Sunflower Movement marked a generational shift in Taiwan’s approach to China relations, emphasizing democratic values over economic integration.