Taiwan needs regional integration

Taiwan's demonstrators occupied its legislature on March 18 to 24 to resist a new trade bill with the mainland. And yet, Taiwan needs regional economic integration to sustain its economy.

In Taiwan, the ruling Kuomintang party and its leader, Ma Ying-jeou, support the pact that would lower barriers for Taiwan and the mainland to invest in each other's service sectors.

But as KMT lawmaker Chang Ching-chung announced that the trade agreement should be sent to the legislative floor in its entirety, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party protested the decision and student groups stormed Taiwan's legislative chambers. As students refused to leave, they were removed forcefully from the building.