The large-scale rally organized by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to vent anger over what they alleged as President Ma Ying-jeou's overtures to China was carried out peacefully despite the estimated 200,000 protesters brought in from all around Taiwan.

However, a traffic accident in the evening created a new crescendo for the remaining protesters who decided to camp out on the plaza, which is also known as the “Anti-Corruption Democracy Plaza” to remind people of determination and efforts against corruption of government agencies and public servants.

Opposition supporters marched through downtown Taipei in the afternoon to protest President Ma's policy of engagement with China, claiming that the policy has threatened to compromise Taiwan's sovereignty.

The street demonstration came three days before Ma's first anniversary as the chief of state.

The demonstrators, split into four groups, began at 2:00 p.m. to march toward Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office from four different places — National Taiwan University, Dinghau Square on Zhongxiao E. Road, Zhongshan Soccer Stadium and Wanhu Railway Station.

The first group of protesters, headed by former Vice President Annette Lu, burst a large red balloon in front of the ruling Kuomintang's headquarters to symbolize the party's opposition to Ma's allegedly China-leaning policy.

The second column of demonstrators, led by former Premier Frank Hsieh, tossed large paper planes made from blank personal resumes when they passed the Council of Labor Affairs, to express their fury at the high unemployment rate amid the current economic downturn.

The third group, headed by Tsai Ing-wen, incumbent DPP chairwoman, released black balloons in front of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to protest what they called an invasion of substandard Chinese products.

The fourth group, led by former Premier Su Tseng-chang, littered the area in front of the Council of Agriculture with mock agricultural equipment and popped black balloons to symbolize their protest against the government's flawed import control of Chinese farm produce.

After all four groups of protesters reached Ketagalan Boulevard near the Presidential Office Plaza at around 6 p.m., DPP heavyweights took turns in addressing the rally.

Tsai thanked the protesters for their support for the party's cause, praising them for having “written history” by joining the street march in the hot sun.

According to Tsai, many demonstrators braved the sweltering weather and traveled a long way from their hometowns across the country to Taipei to voice their discontent and rage accumulated over the past year.

In addition to claiming that Ma's China-friendly policy has undermined Taiwan's sovereignty, Tsai also expressed worry over what she called a retrogression of Taiwan's democracy.

Nevertheless, Tsai urged demonstrators to remain calm and rational in the demonstration.

According to the law, the rally should end by 10:00 p.m., but the DPP has decided to stage an overnight sit-in at the site, although it did not apply for permission to do.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin expressed regret over the DPP's failure to observe the law by filing an application to prolong its street protest.

But he said the city government will handle the matter with a “soft” approach.

Hau had given instruction for the police force to take a more tolerant and unconfrontational approach to the protest.

President Ma and Premier Liu Chao-shiuan, who had crisscrossed the island to help people find work at job fairs, said he has heard the voices of the demonstrators. He said he fully understood the stance of the protesters.

Ma said the protesters should peacefully end the rally so that the students and other people will not be obstructed for their study and work for the new week.