How Did The Occupiers Understand What They Were Doing?

It is unsurprising that there were differences in thinking among the occupiers themselves. Some were opposed only to the undemocratic means by which the CSSTA trade bill was passed into law, the so-called “Black Box” means by which the CSSTA was forced into law by the KMT, but not to the contents of the CSSTA itself. Others, arguably the majority, were opposed to the CSSTA trade bill as a trade bill signed with China which could serve as a means for China to encroach upon Taiwanese political sovereignty through economic means. Lastly, were those who opposed to policies of free trade altogether because of its negative effects on Taiwan, regardless of what country the CSSTA was signed with, arguably the most radical position of them all.

As such, in popular discourse about the Sunflower Movement, sometimes the distinction is drawn between the two aspects of the Sunflower Movement which were “anti-China” and which were “anti-free trade.” However, at times this neglects the aspect of the Sunflower Movement which was opposed to the Ma administration and the KMT’s actions in siphoning away Taiwanese democratic freedoms to China.

Read More About The Demands Of The Movement:

• What was the “black box” and why were occupiers opposed to it?

• Was the Sunflower Movement an anti-China movement?

• What was the CSSTA?

• Was the Sunflower Movement an anti-free trade movement?

• Did everyone understand the demands of the movement?

Photo credit: Brian Hioe