Student protesters began to exit Taiwan's legislative building on Thursday evening, ending their three-week occupation of the site prompted by controversy over a cross-Strait service pact.

The withdrawal began at about 6 p.m. as students streamed out of the main chamber of the legislative building in Taipei.

Student leaders announced the retreat decision on Monday, saying the protest had met its goals, including the call for "legalizing" the scrutiny mechanism on future cross-Strait agreements.

In a speech given before the departure, a student representative said they would return if the authority reneges on its promises.

Hundreds of students stormed into the legislative chamber on March 18 in protest of what they see as "undemocratic" tactics used by the ruling Kuomintang to ratify the pact between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.