Taiwan concert clash reveals divisions over China’s outreach
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Police are looking for a final suspect involved in clashes at a Chinese-organized concert in Taipei between Taiwanese pro-independence protesters and Beijing supporters that revealed divisions over China’s influence on the self-ruled island.
Beijing insists that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are part of a single Chinese nation and has vowed to take control of the island by force if necessary. It has been stepping up economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan’s government over President Tsai Ing-wen’s refusal to endorse Beijing’s view that both sides belong to “one China.”
The clashes, which injured five at a concert in Taipei, were the latest example of rising tensions. Ties have frayed over Chinese military movements near Taiwan, slowing Chinese tourism to the island and the trial of a Taiwanese activist in China on vaguely defined charges of subversion.
More than 30 people, mostly students, stormed the Sing! China Music Festival stage Sept. 24 at National Taiwan University, city spokesman Liu Yi-ting said.