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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese took to the streets on Saturday in support of the island's latest bid for United Nations membership, which has been criticised by China and the United States.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said half a million people attended a rally in the southern city of Kaohsiung to promote a referendum on the UN bid under the name "Taiwan." Police put the numbers at up to 150,000.
"We will (apply to) join the UN under the name 'Taiwan' and we will let the world hear Taiwan's voice via the referendum," President Chen Shui-bian told supporters in Kaohsiung and outside the UN headquarters in New York via a videolink.
"China says Taiwan is part of it but I believe we definitely cannot agree with that. Taiwan is an independent sovereign country... UN for Taiwan," Chen said.
"Join the UN, referendum protects Taiwan," supporters shouted, punching the air and waving placards and flags as they gathered in front of an arch with a huge "UN" sign on it.
The independence-leaning Chen has repeatedly vowed to press ahead with the planned vote despite fresh warnings from Beijing and Washington.
After talks in Sydney last week, US President George W. Bush and China's Hu Jintao voiced concerns over Taipei's plan, with Hu warning it could propel the region into a "possibly dangerous period."
Names and titles are highly sensitive in the row between Taiwan and China, which split after the end of a civil war in 1949.
The island, under its official name the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to China in 1971.
Its efforts to rejoin the world body using its official name have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
Meanwhile the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party said some 100,000 people joined a rally in the central city of Taichung headed by its presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou. Police estimated a turnout of 50,000.
The KMT is proposing its own referendum on whether the island should push to join international organisations as the "Republic of China," its official title, or "Taiwan."
"We are seeking to return to the UN with a pragmatic and flexible approach.
The DPP's proposal to join the UN under the name 'Taiwan' is unfeasible and it is an election ploy," Ma told the crowd.
Ma also vowed to improve the sluggish economy if the KMT regains power.
In contrast to the carnival atmosphere in central and southern Taiwan, dozens of people scuffled with police outside the Presidential Office in Taipei, where they were gathered to oppose the planned referendum.
Protestors sprayed red paint on photographs of the president and on government banners promoting the UN bid in a show of anger.
Some 15 of Taiwan's 24 allies have proposed the island's membership application to the General Assembly, which will decide whether to discuss it when the annual session opens on September 18.
- AFP /ls
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