DHAKA: Taiwanese police have clashed with hundreds of students who occupied government headquarters to protest at a trade deal with China.

Police used water cannon and dragged out students one by one, clearing the building by dawn on Monday, BBC reported.

More than 30 people were arrested and dozens hurt, police said.

The protesters say the agreement with China would hurt Taiwan`s economy and leave it vulnerable to pressure from Beijing.

Another group of students and activists have occupied Taiwan`s parliament since early last week.

The BBC`s Cindy Sui in Taipei says the students wants more scrutiny over all future dealings with China, including any trade agreements.

They also want the current deal - which would allow the two sides to invest more freely in each other`s services markets - to be scrapped.

The governing Kuomintang party says it is determined to ratify the deal with Beijing, which it says will boost the economy and create jobs.

China formally regards Taiwan as a part of its territory, despite the island governing itself for six decades.

BDST:  1038 HRS, MAR 24, 2014