1025 rally to safeguard Taiwan

[3][4] It was planned by the DPP in response to the Chinese tainted milk powder scandal and Taiwan's perceived growing ties with the People's Republic of China (PRC).

[citation needed] The PRC has threatened the use of force if Taiwan declares de jure independence from China.

The Ma administration's policy of normalising cross-strait relations has been perceived by the pro-independence supporters as forming closer ties with the PRC.

[9] Some Kuomintang legislators, on the other hand, criticized the PRC government for notifying Taiwan late after the news had already been reported by Taiwanese media.

[11] The participants of the "Oppose One China Education" route started out in front of the main gate of the National Taiwan University.

Protesters are mostly students who resisted the government's policy to recognize mainland Chinese academic qualifications.

"[11] Because the protest march was launched primarily by the Democratic Progressive Party, participants were predominantly pan-green.

Former DPP chairmen Yao Chia-wen, Su Tseng-chang, and Yu Shyi-kun all participated in the march.

[13] According to the pro-independence Taiwan East Society (Chinese: 台灣東社), there were some pan-blue or Kuomintang supporters who signed up for the event.

[15] President Ma Ying-jeou said he would listen to the voice of the people and respond to their criticism, but maintained that the main direction of his government policies remained the correct one.