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TAIPEI : Taiwan's outgoing President Chen Shui-bian appealed Saturday for support for two referendums on seeking UN membership for the island, despite the concerns of the international community.
"The whole world is watching and I hope you will give Taiwan a chance and use the referendums to cheer Taiwan on," he said as he cast his ballot.
The referendums were being held at the same time as the self-ruled island's presidential election Saturday pitting ruling party chief Frank Hsieh against the opposition Kuomintang's Ma Ying-jeou.
"I call again for the passage of the referendums to defend Taiwan," Chen told reporters while voting in the capital Taipei.
"Whether you are pro-Ma or pro-Hsieh you should be pro-Taiwan. I hope the outcome of the referendums will let the world see Taiwan in a new light."
The votes are controversial because Taiwan lost its UN seat to Beijing in 1971 and is now recognised diplomatically by just 23 countries.
Its past 15 attempts to rejoin the world body have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, which claims the island as part of its territory.
One referendum proposal, being put forward by Hsieh and Chen's Democratic Progressive Party, calls for the island to seek membership under the name of Taiwan.
China strongly opposes the move, seeing it as a push for formal independence and warning it could threaten peace in the region.
Washington, Taiwan's key ally, and the European Union have also expressed their concerns.
The Kuomintang version would have Taiwan join under any mutually acceptable name and is seen as less sensitive.
However, analysts do not expect either referendum to reach the required 50 percent turnout, with some people saying there is little point in voting as China would block Taiwan's attempts regardless of the name. - AFP/ch
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