Taiwanese Protest Proposed Security Law, Urge Reform

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Banner-waving demonstrators converged on Parliament on Friday to protest a proposed national security law and demand more democracy. Riot police sealed off roads around Parliament and the nearby presidential office.

Leaders of the opposition Democratic Progress Party denounced the national security law, which Parliament is drafting to replace martial law later this year. They also demanded that more parliamentary seats be opened to election.

The protesters fought with right-wing demonstrators who support the law, and witnesses said several people were hurt.

The anti-Communist Patriotic Front, which maintains that opposition politicians are dupes of China, has launched a campaign to support the national security law.

The ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) has said the legislation is needed to protect Taiwan against what it sees as a security threat from China. The opposition maintains that it is martial law in disguise.