R_M_Y

I've seen two different interpretations of the Taiwanese sunflower movement on social media, most recently the Facebook page Taiwan Voice, which I would describe like this:

1. The protest is, in it's core, about the self-determination of the Taiwanese nation. The black box deal is a threat to this because it's undemocratic and the increasing Chinese control of Taiwan's market and intergration through immigration from China (as put in place in Hong Kong) would harm Taiwan's self-determination.

2. The protest must be seen in a bigger picture of class conflict, and is an example of the struggle against neoliberalism/capitalism that is occuring worldwide. Not the black box deal deal per se or the way it came to be is the issue, but rather the accumulation of wealth in the hands of the few, made possible my such free trade deals.

Which if any of the two descriptions do you believe to be accurate? A follow op question is: do the interpretations of what this protest really is vary among protesters, or do they generally agree?

Thanks for the answer. I think it's good that you focus mainly on the issues and not make this about any political ideology or wing. Too many protests have been wrecked by ideologues and partisan radicals planting their flag on it and alienating the public already.

Take a look on the bright side: people, 'western' or not, being ignorant means you have an oppurtunity to explain them what is going, and easily convince them, since they have no pro-Chinese or pro-KMT beliefs already.

How would you respond to people saying opposition to the border loosening policies that are a part of the black box motivated by anti-Chinese prejudice and that the view that immigration from China is a means of assimilating Taiwan, like is done in Hong Kong, is a conspiracy theory demonizing people who just want to build up a better life?

I get that the way the deal came to be is the main focus, but to you mean the comparision to Hong Kong or the responses to it are overblown? I asked this question because it's a topic both my Chinese and Taiwanese friends bring up when discussing the deal and its consequences.