DHAKA: A radical Taiwanese independence group said on Sunday they had pulled down a statue of the founding father of the nationalist republic who fled from the Chinese mainland to the island more than six decades ago.

The event, which was condemned by politicians and supporters of the ruling nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party, illustrates how hostility towards Beijing still runs deep within some Taiwanese circles, despite years of improving ties between the two former foes.

The bronze statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen had stood for over half a century at a park in the southern city of Tainan, until it was pulled down in a surprise raid on Saturday.

Dozens of independence activists launched a surprise attack, using a rope to topple the 600-kg statue which was splashed with red paint and covered in protest signs reading: ‘ROC out, KMT down’, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2008 HRS, FEB 23, 2014