10 years on, Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement has wilted but its legacy lingers on

Independence-leaning DPP and parties that rose out of the 2014 protests are losing popularity, but youth increasingly drives the island’s politics

A decade after the student-led action protesting a trade deal with Beijing, the notion of closer cross-strait ties no longer deters young voters

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Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement of 2014 was sparked by student protests against a trade deal with mainland China. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:00am, 23 Mar 2024Updated: 4:27pm, 23 Mar 2024

Ten years ago, protests against a free trade deal with mainland China sparked one of Taiwan’s biggest popular movements, significantly reshaping the landscape of civil society, politics and public opinion in the self-ruled island.

The “Sunflower Movement”, which intensified Taiwanese scepticism of Beijing’s intentions, surprised many with its energy. However, hopes of channelling what remains of the immense support of a decade ago into January’s elections were dashed.

An alliance of six young progressive politicians – all part of the 2014 movement – calling themselves “The Generation” stood in the race for seats in the Legislative Yuan. Only two won in their districts.

Many young voters turned instead to the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), led by unsuccessful presidential candidate Ko Wen-je – whose own political career was aided by the movement.

This was despite a shift in Ko’s political leanings, from the “pan-green” that denotes independence-leaning parties, towards the more Beijing-friendly stance of the “pan-blue” Kuomintang (KMT) by the time of his presidential run.

Protesters, mostly young students, occupied Taiwan’s legislature for 23 days in 2014, in what became known as the Sunflower Movement. Photo: AFP

Ko’s party won a historic eight seats, replacing the pro-independence New Power Party (NPP) – formed in the wake of the Sunflower Movement – as the third most-represented party in the legislature.

10 years on, Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement has wilted but its legacy lingers on

Independence-leaning DPP and parties that rose out of the 2014 protests are losing popularity, but youth increasingly drives the island’s politics A decade after the student-led action protesting a trade deal with Beijing, the notion of closer cross-strait ties no longer deters young voters

Independence-leaning DPP and parties that rose out of the 2014 protests are losing popularity, but youth increasingly drives the island’s politics

A decade after the student-led action protesting a trade deal with Beijing, the notion of closer cross-strait ties no longer deters young voters