Taiwan Economic Democracy Union
台灣經濟民主連合
The Economic Democracy Union (EDU) was formed during the Anti-CSSTA Sunflower Movement. It puts its efforts into demonstrating China's influence in politics and the economy, protecting Taiwan's sovereignty and economic autonomy, and pursuing freedom, equality, unity, and sustainability as a nation.
With the end of the 2014 Sunflower Movement, we staked out our battlefield in the economic domain. During the political instability of 2015, we protested the Ma-Xi meeting and called for an end to trade discussions with China. In 2019, when Xi Jinping called for the "One Country, Two Systems, Taiwan plan," we sought to promote democracy as a means of defense, calling for a red line in discussions with China. As the ruling party lost sight of its ideals, on the fifth anniversary of the Sunflower Movement, we called for the "Taiwan Citizen's Frontline," to call for a civic platform, to advocate promoting progressive values, to create social unity for each individual and family on the basis of democratic values.
The EDU seeks to integrate thought, policy, and action. It is a knowledge-based group, encompassing a think tank, but also a movement organization, publishing books, making legislative proposals and participating in movements.
The EDU has five think tank working groups: 1) China-directed policy, 2) Economy, 3) Labor, 4) Thought and Culture), 5) Sovereignty, Diplomacy, and Defense. In drawing up bills for reform, advocating policy, or in establishing the Taiwan Civic Frontline committee, participating in social movements, and promoting intergenerational dialogue, we hope to integrate civil society across generations.
In November 2023, the EDU published "Pulling Off the Mask of How China's Capital Encroaches on Taiwan: The Economic Democracy Union and Its Struggle with Chinese Political and Economic Forces", organizing the cases that the EDU has dealt with in the past decade and related legal amendments. Through the book, we hope to allow the public to know more about the EDU's advocacy.