Taipei - Chinese envoy Chen Yunlin, the highest level Chinese official to visit Taiwan in more than half a century, Thursday escaped a protest barricade that had pinned him down for six hours. Chen was escorted under police protection from the Regent Hotel, where he had attended a banquet Wednesday evening only to find the building under siege by hundreds of anti-China protestors when he tried to leave.
Riot police were unable to disperse the protesters. He was finally escorted to safety at 2 am Thursday.
The protest was staged by members and supporters of Taiwan's pro- independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Chen arrived in Taiwan on Monday for four days of talks with Taiwan's negotiator Chiang Ping-kun. On Tuesday, Chen and Chiang signed four pacts on a direct sea link, daily charter flights, direct postal services and food safety.
The DPP accuses Ma, who is seeking reconciliation and closer ties with China, of moving too close to China and endangering Taiwan's interests.
More protests are planned for Thursday when Chen is scheduled to meet Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. The DPP plans to mobilize 100,000 members and supporters to besiege the Taipei Guest House to protest Chinese "bullying" of Taiwan when he meets Ma.
Their tactics are expected to include tying yellow ribbons on trees, throwing eggs at Chen and setting off balloons and firecrackers.
Since his arrival, Chen has annoyed DPP members and many ordinary Taiwanese by refusing to address Taiwanese officials by their titles.
On Tuesday, Chen addressed Lai Shin-yuan, chairwoman of the Mainland Affairs Council, with the informal "Ni" or "You" - instead of the more formal "Nin."
