DPP passes `normal country' resolution

Hsieh's spokesman Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) told reporters that the former had informed the president of his decision earlier yesterday. The president decided not to attend the congress afterwards, Chao said.

After Yu's proposed amendment failed to win the support of the congress, DPP Ilan chapter Director Sung Hsiu-shu (宋岫書), speaking on behalf of Yu, said Yu would support Hsieh and his running mate, Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), no matter what.

Earlier yesterday, DPP Chiayi chapter Director Chen Mao-sung (陳茂松), Kinmen chapter Director Chen Tsang-chiang (陳滄江), Taoyuan chapter Director Hsu Chung-wen (許崇文) and Sung staged a protest outside the congress.

Chen Mao-sung held a poster demanding a vote by roll call on Yu's proposed amendment during the congress, threatening to take joint action with other chapter directors to shut down all DPP district chapters.

"If the party does not dare to [specify] the name [for the country to pursue as] `Taiwan' in the resolution, how can we seek UN membership using the name `Taiwan?' Does this mean that the party is deceiving the public like [Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate] Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九)?" Chen Mao-sung said.