Taiwanese democratic and pro-independence deputies walk out of Parliament in protest against the agreement, which passed with 68 votes in favour. Chinese workforce remains banned on the island. Military tension continues between the two sides of the Strait.

Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Taiwan's Parliament yesterday approved a historic trade agreement with mainland China, the largest ever reached between the two governments: the agreement was approved by 68 votes to none against, but in the absence of opposition MPs.

Brought before Parliament by members of the Nationalist Party, the Kuomintang, and considered a "creature" of the island's president - the Nationalist Ma Ying-jeou - the Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation has a market value of about 200 billion dollars per year. Currently, the turnover between the two countries is around 110 billion: 80 billion in Taiwanese commercial products are sent to China, which in turn sends about 30 billion to the island.

Under the terms of the pact, Taiwan (considered by Beijing a "rebel province") will uphold the ban on workforce coming from mainland China. Chen Ching-ling, a pro-Beijing deputy, said: "The agreement is extremely important for Taiwan, because it limits the risk of being marginalized by the international trade balance."

Tsai Huang-lang, deputy of the Democratic Progressive Party, thinks differently: "Once entered fully into force, the Agreement will eliminate national sovereignty of Taiwan. It will become equal to Hong Kong and Macao”. Demonstrators who, since yesterday, have kept vigil outside Parliament with signs saying: "The government is selling us” feel the same way.

Despite the political and economic rapprochement between the two governments, however, China is increasing its military advantage over Taiwan, according to a report published yesterday by the U.S. Department of Defence. The Pentagon stressed that Beijing "continues without pause" to strengthen in anticipation of a military conflict with Taiwan, regarded by the Chinese government as a rebel province.

The text refers to the situation concurrent to 2009, before the U.S. sent Patriot antiaircraft missile batteries and other materials worth 6.4 billion dollars to Taiwan. Today Beijing responded to the report, calling it "exaggerated" and "a threat to peace" on the Taiwan Strait.

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