Pro-independence groups begin round-the-clock vigil

Pro-Taiwan independence groups began a vigil in Taipei last night to show their support for President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) "one country on either side" of the Taiwan Strait declaration.

The vigil, which began at 6pm yesterday at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, will continue non-stop with no date set for its conclusion, according to the event's organizer, the Alliance to Campaign for Rectifying the Name of Taiwan (台灣正名運動聯盟).

The alliance, composed of more than 70 pro-Taiwan groups, has as its mission the changing of the nation's name to Taiwan as so to allow Taiwan to assert its place in the international community.

Alliance spokesperson Peter Wang (王獻極) said that the purpose of the marathon vigil is to show support for Chen's Saturday remark that Taiwan and China are separate countries on either side of the Strait and his calls for the legislature to consider passing a referendum law.

Wang added that the vigil is also meant to protest China's interference in Taiwan's internal affairs.

"We encourage all whom share our views to come and join us at the vigil," Wang said at an alliance press conference yesterday, adding that events at the vigil would include speeches and skits.

Chen Lung-chu (陳隆志), national policy adviser to the president, urged Taiwanese to stand up for themselves and refuse to be intimidated by China's bullying.

Hsu Deng-kun (許登崑), Chairman of the Goa-Seng-Lang Association for Taiwan Independence (外省人獨立促進會), also expressed his concerns at the press conference.

"Having Chinese missiles aimed at Taiwan is not scary," Hsu said. "What is scarier and concerns me more is the lack of recognition many Taiwanese have toward Taiwan, the land they live on."

Meanwhile, in a bid to support the president's recent remarks, TSU legislative whip Chen Cheng-lung (程振隆) commented yesterday in a separate press conference that at his party's meeting today he would propose holding a national parade.