Taiwan's Pro-Independence Parties Defeated

[Rose Siding]

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan's pro-independence parties were defeated in legislative elections Saturday, a result sure to please Chinese leaders who regard the island as part of the mainland.

The coalition that includes President Chen Shui-bian's party was widely favored to increase its influence over the legislature.

But the three-party opposition, known as the "blue team," rallied, winning 114 of the total 225 seats, the Central Election Commission said. The president's coalition, called the "green team," finished with 101 seats. Independents got 10.

The president took full responsibility for his coalition's defeat.
"People have made their choices. Let's take it as a starting point for cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties," Chen said in a televised speech. "Let's turn our competition into a force for pushing the nation forward."
...
The opposition has opposed Chen's plan to spend $18 billion on U.S. weapons to defend against a Chinese attack and accused him of recklessness that could lead to war.

Chen's Democratic Progressive Party promised to rewrite the constitution and continue pushing for a new Taiwanese identity separate from China's. Both pledges angered Beijing, which views them as part of Chen's policy of "creeping independence."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-taiwan-election,0,957085.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[Maple]

1. Good news!

Thank you.