Annexe Taiwan, protesters plead with U.S.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Pro-U.S. demonstrators flew red, white and blue flags superimposed with maps of Taiwan outside the U.S. mission in Taipei on Friday in a campaign to see their island annexed to the United States.

They handed over a annexation petition to the American Institute in Taipei, the de facto U.S. embassy, after what participants said was the largest protest of its kind this year.

"Our goal is to let the United States govern Taiwan and not let China run it," said Lin Hsian-shuang, 80, one of about 300 demonstrators. "Self-rule for Taiwan would be also fine, but the U.S. government won't allow it."

China has claimed sovereignty over democratic Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949 and threatened to use force if the island formally declares statehood.

The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, recognising "one China", but is obliged by the Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself.

It has also pressured Taiwan to drop its plan for a referendum on UN membership which would be tantamount to a step towards formal independence.

Some protesters carried petitions for U.S. statehood. One held up a placard calling the Taiwan Relations Act "domestic", implying the United States could adopt the island.

"Because the United States has said Taiwan is not a country," said Lin Li-tsai, 65, on the sidewalk outside the institute.

"I came out here to ask, 'What are we?'"