The project has been proposed by Kuo Kuang Petrochemical Technology Co., an incorporated joint venture between the state-run Chinese Petroleum Corp. and six other Taiwanese companies.

The volunteers, from schools and various environmental groups led by the Changhua Environmental Protection Alliance, gathered at Putien Temple in the central county and some of them formed the shape of a Chinese white dolphin.

Other members of the groups, holding red, white and black open umbrellas, formed the letters S.O.S. to symbolize that the dolphins are in danger of extinction and there is critical need to protect the habitats of the species.

Led by Taiwan Environmental Protection Union President Wang Chin-shou, the volunteers read a statement vowing to protect the Changhua coast, reject the entry of high energy consumption and high pollution industries into the county, and protect the sustainability of local farming and fishery industries and the ecological environment.

The Chinese white dolphin lives mainly in the waters along Taiwan's western coast but its population has been dwindling and there only about 70 left in the area, Wang said.

If Kuo Kuang's plan to set up a plant on the Changhua coast materializes, it could result in the extinction of the Chinese white dolphin and damage to the marine ecology, Wang added.

To protect the survival rights of the endangered dolphin species, several conservation groups will file a lawsuit against the Changhua County government and Kuo Kuang Co., demanding that they halt the plans for the petrochemical business in the area, he said.

(By Wu Jhe-hao and Y.L. Kao)