Wang Jin-pyng, the speaker of the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan, on April 6 appeared before students who have been occupying it for the last three weeks, promising them that he would not allow a controversial trade pact with China to proceed before other legislation, which monitors relations with China, is passed.

It was the first time that a senior Nationalist Party politician has spoken to the students since they took over the legislative chambers on March 18, and represented a general agreement with their demands. The move was also a shock to the Nationalist Party, of which Wang is a member. Alex Hrong-tai Fai, a Nationalist Party legislator, said he felt “betrayed” by Wang’s surprise move.