On May 21, the Taiwan Legislative Yuan continued to discuss the proposed amendments to the Legislative Functions Act by the Kuomintang and People First Party, and it passed the second reading. During the morning session, 40 civic groups gathered outside and presented five major demands, calling for the bill to be sent back to committee for further review. By 9:10 PM local time, the organizers announced that there were 30,000 protesters present at the scene.
Former United Microelectronics Corporation Chairman Robert Tsao made a special appearance in the evening to speak. He stated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a war against Taiwan through three forms – military, propaganda, and legal warfare.
Tsao pointed out that military warfare involves instilling fear in Taiwan through military force, while propaganda warfare includes using friendly media personalities to defame reputable individuals. He emphasized that Taiwan does not seek to undermine the current status quo of China, but the CCP continues to disrupt Taiwan’s situation on a daily basis.
Regarding legal warfare, Tsao mentioned that those friendly to the CCP have gained a majority in the Legislative Yuan, aiming to expand legislative powers to suppress executive authority. He cited information from his friends in Hong Kong that people there are now cautious about speaking out. He urged Blue camp legislators in Taiwan to prevent the legislature from becoming a puppet of the CCP and encouraged the public to resist if these legislators persist in their ways.
Various civic groups protested outside the Legislative Yuan due to their dissatisfaction with the “blue-white” rush to pass the enhanced legislative power bill. They questioned why a series of bills had to be passed before May 20 and expressed concerns about the current relationship between the largest opposition party and the CCP.
Despite the inclement weather, people braved the rain from Qingdao to Zhongshan South Road. As of 7:05 PM local time, the organizers, through the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, announced that there were 15,000 protesters present; by 8:10 PM, the number increased to 18,000; and by 9:10 PM, it reached 30,000.
Fearing a resurgence of the Sunflower Movement, the Legislative Yuan’s General Affairs Office issued an urgent announcement on the afternoon of the 21st, starting from 5 PM, gradually closing off certain entrances and exits around the legislature, prohibiting individuals and vehicles from entering or exiting.
In the evening of the 21st, Democratic Progressive Party legislators at the Legislative Yuan protested holding sunflowers.
Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu presided over the meeting, continuing the session into the night, with parliament set to work late until 12 AM.