BEIJING, Dec. 30 -- For Taiwan's 24 million people, 2014 has proven itself to be a turbulent year, and the island's choice of Character of the Year "hei" (which means black) reflects their state of mind.

First came the March student protests, who took to the streets over a cross-Strait pact that many thought would result in the island loosing jobs opportunities to the Chinese mainland. Protestors even occupied Taiwan's legislative chamber.

When a Xinhua reporter gained access to the chamber, the movement seemed to be a travesty: the portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen was covered with a sticker counting the hours of occupation and students seemed more concerned with uploading pictures to Facebook.

The students, who at first were only angry that the pact had been passed without a clause-by-clause review, went further by demanding the deal be withdrawn.

Later, students stormed the Executive Yuan, vandalizing the building and clashing with police. By April 10, the students' action had ceased but the trade-pact negotiation process was seriously stalled.

Even today, the trade pact remains in limbo, causing many Taiwanese to fear that their economy might be marginalized by an integrated east Asian economy.

The island was then rocked by a plane crash in Penghu Islands on July 23, which killed 48 and injured 10. Initially, reports said that the accident had been caused by bad weather but Taiwan authorities later revised this, saying the typhoon was not likely to blame.

While the island was still reeling from news of the plane crash, Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city was hit by a series of underground midnight gas explosions. Thirty-two people were killed and 300 sustained injuries

The investigation ended up being as chaotic as the explosion scenes. When the investigation documents were finally inked in December, several low-level government officials were held responsible. But the families of the victims believed they were just scapegoats.

Next to be hit was the Taiwan food industry, usually a draw for tourists and international investment, when a series of food safety incidents came to light, involving renowned food conglomerates, including Ting Hsin International Group.

Cooking oil was found to contain recycled oil, grease and leather cleaner; animal feed oil was blended with cooking oil; fake mutton and substandard pork products; and dried tofu was adulterated with industrial chemicals. Each of these incidents left people with a foul taste in their mouths over Taiwan's food standards.

The rocky year seemed to never end, and next came the resignation of ruling Kuomingtang Party chairman Ma Ying-jeou after his party lost by historic proportions in the Nov. 29 local government elections. The party won a paltry six out of the 22 city and municipality seats, resulting in a big shake-up of the administrative authority following the defeat.

It seems that the troubles are set to continue as major Taiwan politicians gear up for the top leader in 2015.