A student protesting a trade pact between Taiwan and China applauds as leaders of the protest speak on the floor of Taiwan's Legislature on Monday, April 7, in Taipei. Protesters, mostly college students, have been camped out in Taiwan's Legislature building since March 18. They say the trade deal with China could harm Taiwan's economy, democratic system and national security. But supporters of the deal have also come out to express themselves.
Protests in Taiwan —
A student protesting a trade pact between Taiwan and China applauds as leaders of the protest speak on the floor of Taiwan's Legislature on Monday, April 7, in Taipei. Protesters, mostly college students, have been camped out in Taiwan's Legislature building since March 18. They say the trade deal with China could harm Taiwan's economy, democratic system and national security. But supporters of the deal have also come out to express themselves.
Wally Santana/AP
A protester sleeps on the floor of the Legislature building on Saturday, April 5.
Protests in Taiwan —
A protester sleeps on the floor of the Legislature building on Saturday, April 5.
Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Supporters of the trade pact clash with police in Taipei on Tuesday, April 1. The trade agreement was signed last year with the intention of easing investment and trade between mainland China and Taiwan.
Protests in Taiwan —
Supporters of the trade pact clash with police in Taipei on Tuesday, April 1. The trade agreement was signed last year with the intention of easing investment and trade between mainland China and Taiwan.
Wally Santana/AP
A supporter of the trade pact faints during clashes between protesters and police April 1 in Taipei.
Protests in Taiwan —
A supporter of the trade pact faints during clashes between protesters and police April 1 in Taipei.
Wally Santana/AP
Thousands of demonstrators gather in front of the Presidential Building to protest the trade deal Sunday, March 30, in Taipei.
Protests in Taiwan —
Thousands of demonstrators gather in front of the Presidential Building to protest the trade deal Sunday, March 30, in Taipei.
Wally Santana/AP
Demonstrators rally in Taipei on Saturday, March 29, asking students to retreat from the Legislature and return the government building to its normal working schedule.
Protests in Taiwan —
Demonstrators rally in Taipei on Saturday, March 29, asking students to retreat from the Legislature and return the government building to its normal working schedule.
Wally Santana/AP
Protesters who oppose the trade agreement hold a rally outside Taiwan's Legislature on Thursday, March 27.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters who oppose the trade agreement hold a rally outside Taiwan's Legislature on Thursday, March 27.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters who oppose the trade agreement sit outside the Legislature during a demonstration in Taipei on Wednesday, March 26.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters who oppose the trade agreement sit outside the Legislature during a demonstration in Taipei on Wednesday, March 26.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Anti-media slogans are posted on a TV station's van during a rally outside the Legislature on Monday, March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Anti-media slogans are posted on a TV station's van during a rally outside the Legislature on Monday, March 24.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Protesters are sprayed with a water cannon during a demonstration outside the Executive Yuan building in Taipei on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters are sprayed with a water cannon during a demonstration outside the Executive Yuan building in Taipei on March 24.
STRinger/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters storm government buildings in Taipei on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters storm government buildings in Taipei on March 24.
Wally Santana/AP
Students are removed by police after storming government buildings in Taipei on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Students are removed by police after storming government buildings in Taipei on March 24.
Wally Santana/AP
Student protesters clash with police in Taipei on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Student protesters clash with police in Taipei on March 24.
Wally Santana/AP
Riot police stand outside the Executive Yuan on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Riot police stand outside the Executive Yuan on March 24.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Riot police detain a protester near the Cabinet compound on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Riot police detain a protester near the Cabinet compound on March 24.
DAVID CHANG/EPA/LANDOV
Student protesters place barriers at the stairs of the Legislature building on March 24.
Protests in Taiwan —
Student protesters place barriers at the stairs of the Legislature building on March 24.
Lam Yik Fei/GETTY IMAGES
More than 200 people, mostly students, occupy Taiwan's Parliament building in Taipei on Friday, March 21.
Protests in Taiwan —
More than 200 people, mostly students, occupy Taiwan's Parliament building in Taipei on Friday, March 21.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Police install barricades to block protesters from moving toward the Presidential Building in Taipei on March 21.
Protests in Taiwan —
Police install barricades to block protesters from moving toward the Presidential Building in Taipei on March 21.
Wally Santana/AP
Hundreds of students sit during a demonstration in Taipei on Thursday, March 20.
Protests in Taiwan —
Hundreds of students sit during a demonstration in Taipei on Thursday, March 20.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Students place barriers at the entrance to the Legislature to prevent police from entering on Wednesday, March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Students place barriers at the entrance to the Legislature to prevent police from entering on Wednesday, March 19.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
Protesters shout inside the Legislature on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters shout inside the Legislature on March 19.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
Students occupy the plaza outside the Legislature on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Students occupy the plaza outside the Legislature on March 19.
Ashley Pon/Getty Images
Police officers try to enter the Legislature while it is blocked and occupied by activists on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Police officers try to enter the Legislature while it is blocked and occupied by activists on March 19.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
A protester shouts as police officers try to remove the chairs that block the entrance of the Legislature on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
A protester shouts as police officers try to remove the chairs that block the entrance of the Legislature on March 19.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Hundreds of protesters chant on the Legislature floor while holding signs denouncing the government on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Hundreds of protesters chant on the Legislature floor while holding signs denouncing the government on March 19.
Wally Santana/AP
Protesters climb through the windows of the Legislature on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters climb through the windows of the Legislature on March 19.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters use chairs to block the entrance to the Legislature on March 19.
Protests in Taiwan —
Protesters use chairs to block the entrance to the Legislature on March 19.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
Protests in Taiwan

Story highlights

Taiwan's Premier Jiang Yi-huah says he will step down

His ruling party came in second in elections Saturday

Protests erupted last spring over a Taiwan-China trade deal

CNN  — 

The premier of Taiwan announced his resignation on Saturday after losing the first election since protests erupted over a controversial trade deal with mainland China. The move by Jiang Yi-huah sets the stage for significant turnover, and possibly reforms, in the East Asian island.

Jiang said he’d step down after his ruling Kuomintang placed second in Saturday’s election, with just over 40% support. The day’s top vote-getter was the Democratic Progressive Party, with more than 47% of the vote.

The election came months after protesters from what Taiwanese media dubbed the “Sunflower Movement” occupied Taiwan’s parliament and hit the streets to rail against the trade agreement between Taiwan and mainland China, its longtime adversary, which was signed in Shanghai last year.

Taiwan police clash with students over trade deal

Critics claimed the deal would threaten small businesses in Taiwan and give China greater influence in the island state.

The public uproar held up the trade agreement, and soured relations between China and Taiwan – officially the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China.

Although the two separated in 1949 following a civil war, China still claims Taiwan as its territory. To this day, China is reported to have missiles pointed at the island.

Yet there also have been recent signs of tensions thawing between the two.

For instance, many Taiwanese companies have moved factories to China, while Chinese banks now operate on the island. Six years ago no direct flights existed between the island and the mainland; today there are hundreds of flights a week and tourists are flooding in.