President Chen Shui-bian says he has been given a mandate to press for Taiwan's independence from China despite a razor-thin margin in his hotly-disputed re-election. Chen has vowed to proceed with plans to write a new constitution, developing Taiwan as an "independent, sovereign country" despite the risk of war with China, he said in an interview with the Washington Post. "The fundamental reason I won this presidential election . . . is because there is a rising Taiwan identity and it has been solidified," Chen said in his first interview since an assassination attempt on the eve of the election. "I think the Beijing authorities should take heed of this fact and accept the reality."
| Not sure it's such a good idea to pull the dragon's tail right now. |
The political tension between the two camps has bitterly divided the island and raised international concerns over Taiwan's stability, particularly in China. Chen -- who was re-elected by a scant 30,000 votes over Kuomintang leader Lien Chan -- has agreed to a recount by the High Court. "This is my word -- that I will accept the results of the recount, whether it's in favor of me or not in favor of me," Chen has said. The political fight has battered the economy, with investors abandoning the Taiwan stock market, sending its key Taiex indicator plummeting, and selling off the Taiwan dollar. The crisis has also exacerbated tensions within the opposition ranks with some key figures unhappy about the brinkmanship displayed by Lien in the wake of the vote.
| Somebody needs to make the kids play nice here; we don't need the distraction. |
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