Thousands of protesters rallied in Taipei Saturday to focus attention on what many fear to be threats from mainland China.
The event also marks the 10th anniversary of China's series of missile firings near Taiwan, seen as an attempt to influence the island's first direct presidential elections.
Beijing, which has more than 700 missiles targeted at Taiwan, passed a law last year that allowed the use of force against the island if it formally moves toward independence, the BBC said.
President Chen Shui-bian and other senior officials from his governing Democratic Progressive Party were expected to join the rally and march.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
