Taiwan's right-wing opposition rallied thousands in Taipei Saturday to protest President Ma Ying-jeou's pro-China policies and the island's economic downturn, reproted dpa.
The march, organized by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), criticized Ma's alleged selling out of Taiwan's interests to China and Taiwan's economic downturn.
Ma took office in May after his Chinese Nationalist Party swept back into power in the March 22 presidential elections, ending the DPP's 8-year rule.
Former president Chen Shui-bian, who left the DPP and faced investigations for corruption, also took part in the march.
Ma denied selling out Taiwanese interests to China, claiming that he is trying to ease cross-strait tension and revitalize Taiwan's economy.
"Just like my election campaign pledge, I am not selling out Taiwan's interests to China, but trying to sell Taiwan fruits to China," Ma said at a farm products promotion fair in Taipei.
Public opinion polls have shown that most Taiwanese approve of Ma's mending ties with China, but complain about the economy.
Polls show the majority of Taiwanese accept Ma's stance that the island, which split from China in 1949, should maintain its status quo and let future generations decide whether to seek formal independence or reunify with the mainland.