New constitution, referendums demanded

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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan -- Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese rallied yesterday to demand a new constitution, to hold national referendums on issues and to show their defiance of China over its claim to be the rightful ruler of their tiny island.

Crowds with green banners of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) clogged the streets of this southern port city in what was also a show of support for President Chen Shui-bian's bid for second four-year term.

After an afternoon of marching, performances by rock bands, children in angel wings and aboriginal dancers bedecked in neon brocade warmed up a crowd of perhaps 200,000 for the main event of the evening.

Mr. Chen appeared on stage and strolled over to a giant red book concocted to represent a new constitution, which has become the centerpiece issue of his campaign for another term. As he opened the book, the stage exploded with pyrotechnics, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony swelled, and then Mr. Chen gave China what has become his trademark tongue-lashing:

"Taiwan is not part of another country. It is not a province of another country, or a special administrative region of another country. Taiwan is one country," he said.

The crowd roared in approval.

China claims that Taiwan is a rebel province and has threatened, on numerous occasions, to attack the island if it ever declares independence. A defiant Mr. Chen on equally numerous occasions has declared Taiwan a "sovereign and independent nation."

He typically reserves his strongest words for political events outside the capital of Taipei, where Western reporters, and Western investors who are skittish over the threat of war with China, are unlikely to be paying attention.

"Taiwan is a sovereign and independent nation. It is not a local government of another country," he said yesterday.