Students end 24-day siege of Taiwan parliament

Student protesters have ended their unprecedented 24-day occupation of Taiwan’s parliament after receiving assurances about a controversial trade pact with China.

The students left the parliament building late on Thursday after receiving assurances that the Chinese trade pact, which they say threatens the island’s autonomy, would undergo legislative review.

The pact would allow Chinese and Taiwanese service companies, including banking, telecommunication and tourism firms, to operate in each other’s territory.

Opponents fear that it could cost Taiwan jobs or even its democracy. They also criticize the ruling party’s attempt to push the pact through without a detailed review.

“Taiwan’s representative politics have already completely lost their function,” said Chiang Chi-ji, a spokesman for the students, while reading out a statement from inside the parliament building.

The pact, which has been promoted by Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and his ruling Kuomintang party, is now scheduled to undergo a final review in parliament in coming days.

The opponents are worried about a possible growing economic role for China as parliamentary approval of the pact would set the stage for further economic integration between the two countries.

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has warned of the ramifications of the pact on small service companies and Taiwan’s economy.

China is the biggest trading partner for Taiwan and the ties between the two sides have improved over the past few years since Ma came to power in 2008.

In June 2010, Beijing and Taipei signed the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. The pact was seen as the boldest measure towards economic reconciliation.