What is happening1 in Taiwan?
The best introductory text to the events immediately preceding the protest is this piece by J. Michael Cole in The Diplomat:
Thousands of Taiwanese were surrounding and occupying the Legislative Yuan (LY) in Taipei on March 19 after legislators from the ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) expedited the review process of a services trade pact with China that many fear could have damaging repercussions on Taiwan’s economy and sovereignty.