Protesters are wary of the perceived threat from China. Enlarge Image

"The great Taiwanese people oppose annexation and invasion," President Chen Shui-bian told the crowd.

Taiwan's future should be decided by its people, Mr Chen said.

Last year China passed a law to allow the use of force if Taiwan formally declares independence. China has more than 700 missiles targeted at Taiwan.

No unification

Police said about 45,000 people took part in the rally in front of the presidential office building.

The crowd carried banners that read "No Aggression, Protect Taiwan", or "We Want Democracy, We Want Human Rights".

"Our future will never be decided by the 1.3 billion people of China," Mr Chen told them.

"We are totally against unification. Our future will only be decided by the 23 million people of Taiwan."

Saturday's event also coincides with the 10th anniversary of China firing a series of missiles close to Taiwan which were seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of the island's first direct presidential elections.

Some legislators from the governing party have criticised the event as unnecessary and costly.

They argue that the party, which had a disastrous showing in last year's local elections, should try to win back public support by focusing on reform and improving the economy rather than taking to the streets, says the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei.