Chen claims Soong will back arms bill

Lantos' wife, Annette Lantos, was also decorated by Chen with the Order of the Brilliant Star for her achievements in promoting human rights as well as religious freedom.

Case Closed

Meanwhile, Soong's fortunes have improved with the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office's announcement that its investigation into the Chung Hsing Bills Finance scandal has ended because no new evidence relating to the case can be found.

The scandal erupted in 1999 during the run-up to the 2000 presidential election, when Soong was running as an independent candidate.

He was accused of embezzling funds from the KMT.

Commenting on the apparent closure of the scandal, PFP legislative whip Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said the judiciary had delivered justice to Soong but had failed to grant it fairly.

DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said the decision should be respected.

"The judiciary's decision certainly clears Soong's name. In this case, we should respect the judgement of the prosecutor's office," Ker said.